Sensex tanks 210 points, Nifty below 7,800 on sell-off in Asian markets

The benchmark BSE Sensex tumbled 210 points and the NSE Nifty dipped below the 7,800-mark in early trade on Monday on across-the-board selling by investors, tracking heavy losses in Japan as a surging yen hit exporters. 

The 30-share index fell by 209.74 points or 0.82% to 25,396.88 with sectoral indices led by power, realty, banking, IT, technology, auto and capital goods in deep red.

The gauge had gained a marginal 3.52 points on Friday. On similar lines, the National Stock Exchange index Nifty slipped below the 7,800-mark by falling 56.70 points or 0.72% to 7,793.10.

Brokers said sentiment dampened here following a 3.62% plunge in Tokyo equities, as a sharp rise in yen hit exporters, leading to a sell-off across Asia in holiday-thinned trade and on global economy worries-fuelled sharp losses in Wall Street and Europe on Friday.

Besides, a cautious approach adopted by investors ahead of quarterly earnings from more blue-chips including HDFC Ltd and Hero MotoCorp, too influenced sentiment, they added.

Meanwhile, markets in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore were closed today for public holidays.