Sensex down over 36 points in early trade on profit-booking

The 30-share barometer, which has gained over 64 points in the previous two sessions, fell by 36.07 points, or 0.21 per cent, to 17,426.74, with stocks of banking, realty and auto sectors succumbing to profit-booking.

Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty fell by 12.55 points, or 0.24 per cent, to 5,290.00

Brokers said besides profit-booking by participants after recent gains, mixed trend in cautious trading on Asian bourses ahead of a European Central Bank policy meeting later in the day.

In the Asian region, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was up marginally by 0.24 per cent, while Japan's Nikkei Index edged lower by 0.08 per cent. The US market remained closed yesterday for 'Independence Day' holiday.