Profit bookings subdue markets, Sensex down 79 points

Profit bookings, coupled with disappointing macro-economic data subdued Indian equity markets during the early morning trade session on Friday.

This led to a barometer index of the Indian equity markets declining by 79 points.

Lack of participation coupled with profit bookings on account of Thursday's gains and disappointing macro-data prompted some investors to book profits.

Besides, investors were seen cautious regarding the upcoming macro data of monthly purchasing mangers' index (PMI) and the third-quarter earnings season which starts from January 14.

The barometer 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) was trading lower by 79.33 points, or 0.30 percent during the early morning trade session.

Similarly, the wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was trading in the red. It was lower by 19.65 points, or 0.25 percent, at 7,926.70 points.

The Sensex of the S&P BSE, which opened at 26,101.50 points, was trading at 26,038.21 points (at 9.25 a.m.) - down 79.33 points or 0.30 percent from the previous day's close at 26,117.54 points.

The Sensex has so far touched a high of 26,111.51 points and a low of 26,008.20 points in intra-day trade.

The Sensex had closed the previous session on December 31, up 158 points, or 0.61 percent, while the Nifty was higher by 50 points, or 0.63 percent.