Key Indian equity market indices open in red

Taking cues from global markets, the key Indian equity market indices opened lower on Thursday.

The Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE, which had closed at 27,836.51 points on Wednesday, opened lower at 27,808.63 points and minutes into trading, it was quoting at 27,743.33 points, down 93.18 points, or 0.33 per cent.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 51-scrip Nifty, which had closed at 8,615.25 points, was trading at 8,585.95 points, down 29.30 points or 0.34 per cent.

On Wednesday, disappointing quarterly earning results along with caution over the rise in non-performing asset (NPAs) levels of the banking sector and massive outflow of foreign funds pulled the Indian equity markets down.

Besides, lower global crude oil prices and anxiety over the upcoming F and O (futures and options) expiry dampened investors` sentiments.

The barometer 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) dipped by 254.91 points or, 0.91 per cent at the closing. In the day`s trade, the index touched a high of 28,050.55 points and a low of 27,759.56 points. The Nifty, was also down by 76.05 points, or 0.88 per cent.

On Thursday, Asian indices were showing a mixed trend after disappointing earnings from technology major Apple dragged on Wall Street, and the dollar remained shy.

Japan`s Nikkei 225 was trading in red, down 0.29 per cent, Hang Seng down by 1.20 per cent while South Korea`s Kospi was marginally up by 0.25 per cent. China`s Shanghai Composite index was also quoting in red, down by 0.35 per cent.

Overnight, the Nasdaq, on Wednesday, closed in red, slipped by 0.63 per cent while FTSE fell by 0.86 per cent.