Sensex extends losses, down 82 points on weak Asian cues

Falling for the fourth straight session, the benchmark BSE Sensex surrendered another 82 points to quote at 26,406.99  in early trade today on sustained selling by investors and funds amid weak Asian cues. The 30-share barometer was down 82.04 points, or 0.31%, to 26,406.99 in early trade, with sectoral indices led by consumer durables, auto, realty and banking trading lower.

The index had lost 208.26 points in previous three sessions. The NSE Nifty dropped 25.20 points, or 0.30%, to 8,114.25. Brokers said apart from continued outflows by foreign funds, a weak trend in Asia tracking a sell off on Wall Street and extending last week's losses on concerns of an expected jump in US interest rates next year mainly pulled the indices down. Japan's Nikkei fell 0.22% while Hong Kong's Hang Seng shed 0.84% in early trade on Monday. Shanghai Composite too shed 0.19%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.04% lower in Friday's trade. 

On the BSE Sensex, Alok Industries' shares were up 10% in early trade, Cholamandalam Finance was up 3.48%, GAIL 3.01%, Aurobindo Pharma 2.81%. The top losers on the index were, Manappuram Finance, down 4.49%, Oberoi Realty down 3.44%, Fortis Healthcare down 2.72%, Raymond 2.47% lower.