Sensex falls 55 points in early trade

The benchmark BSE Sensex fell over 55 points in early trade on Wednesday on offloading of positions by speculators ahead of monthly expiry in the derivatives segment amidst mixed global cues.

The 30-share barometer, which had lost 161.49 points in the previous session, fell by 55.22 points, or 0.19 %, to 28,282.83 with stocks of realty, banking, auto, IT, metal and capital goods sectors declining the most. Also, the National Stock Exchange index Nifty was down by 18.70 points, or 0.22 %, to 8,444.40.

Brokers said apart from profit-booking in recent gainers, trimming of positions by speculators in view of tomorrow's monthly expiry in the derivatives segment, influenced sentiments. Besides, a mixed trend on other Asian bourses following a lower closing in the US markets in yesterday's trade, triggered selling at domestic markets. Among other Asian markets, Hong Kong's Hang Seng was trading 0.21 % higher, while Japan's Nikkei fell 0.07 % in early trade. The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.02 % lower in yesterday's trade.