Sensex down 229 pts in early trade as Re hits new low

The BSE benchmark Sensex today fell over 229 points in early trade, extending yesterday's losses, following persistent selling by funds after the rupee plunged to new record low of 67.42 against the dollar.
The 30-share barometer fell by 229.66 points, or 1.28 per cent, to 17,738.42. The index had tumbled 590.05 points in the previous session.
Stocks of banking, oil and gas, PSUs, realty, FMCG, auto and capital goods sectors were major losers, dragging down the benchmark Sensex.
The wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty moved down by 69.65 points, or 1.32 per cent, to 5,217.80.
Brokers said sustained selling by funds and other participants triggered by sliding rupee which hit a new record low of 67.42 to a dollar and a weakening trend on the other Asian bourses, tracking overnight losses on the US market as the West stepped up preparations for a military strike on Syria, mainly dampened the trading sentiment here.

In the Asian region, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index traded lower by 1.33 per cent, while Japan's Nikkei Index fell 1.90 per cent in early trade.
The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 1.14 per cent lower in yesterday's trade.