Sensex down nearly 200 points as investors remain cautious ahead of GST debate

BSE benchmark Sensex fell nearly 109 points in morning trade and NSE Nifty dipped below the 8,600-mark in early trade today owing to increased selling in various counters as participants adopted a cautious approach ahead of GST debate in Rajya Sabha. 

By 1011 hours, the 30-share Sensex lost 191.61 points or 0.68% and was trading at 27,790.10 compared to the previous day's close. 

Besides, weak Asian cues also influenced investors sentiment, pulling the 30-share barometer down by 108.55 points, or 0.39%, at 27,873.16 in early trade. 

The index had lost 226.89 points in the previous three sessions. Sectoral indices led by FMCG, oil&gas, realty, power, infrastructure, banking and healthcare were trading in the negative zone, falling up to 0.60%. 

The NSE Nifty was trading down by 36.30 points, or 0.42%, at 8,586.60 in early trade.

Brokers said continued selling by investors, taking cues from weak Asian markets as Japan's economy-boosting stimulus disappointed investors amid overnight losses at the US markets, dampened mood here.

In Asia, Japan's Nikkei fell 0.86%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index shed 1.70% in early trade today. Shanghai Composite index, however, was quoting 0.04% higher.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.49% lower in Monday's trade.