Sensex dives further, down over 76 pts

Continuing its losing streak for the sixth straight session, the benchmark BSE Sensex fell another 76 points in early trade today on sustained selling by funds and retail investors coupled with weakening global markets.
The 30-share index was trading down 76.59 points, or 0.28 per cent, at 26,446.50, with stocks of realty, healthcare, consumer durables, FMCG, metal, power and oil & gas leading the fall.
The gauge had lost 1,325.90 points in the previous five straight sessions.
On similar lines, the NSE Nifty shed 27.85 points, or 0.34 per cent, at 8,016.30.
Brokers said sustained selling by participants on prevailing drought fears and a weak trend in global markets amid concerns of an early interest rate hike by the US Fed after Friday's strong jobs report mainly dampened mood.

Among other Asian markets, Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 1.19 per cent and Japan's Nikkei shed 0.80 per cent in early trade today.
The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.46 per cent lower in yesterday's trade.