Sensex cracks below 26k mark, plunges 190 pts in early deals

The benchmark BSE Sensex tumbled over 190 points to crack the 26,000-mark in early trade as participants took to profit-booking after two sessions of gains amid weak Asian cues on tensions in the Middle East.
In addition, the rupee depreciating against the dollar by 21 paise to 66.35 in early trade and surge in global crude prices hit the market mood.
The 30-share index slipped below the 26,000-mark by falling 190.25 points or 0.72 per cent to 25,970.65 as banking, metals, FMCG, oil&gas, PSU and IT sector indices were trading in negative territory, with losses up to 0.71 per cent.

The gauge had advanced by 201 points in the previous two sessions. The NSE Nifty declined by 48.55 points or 0.61 per cent at 7,914.65.
Brokers said a weak trend in other Asian markets hit by growing tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran and weak China data contributed to the fall.
Among other Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei plunged 2.59 per cent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng was down by 1.22 per cent in early trade today. Shanghai Composite Index fell 3.94 per cent.