Sensex tumbles over 335 points on global cues

Mumbai: The benchmark BSE Sensex Monday plunged over 335 points in morning trade, extending losses for the second session as funds and retail investors engaged in reducing positions amid a weak trend in global markets.

The 30-share barometer, which had lost 240.10 points in the previous session, fell by 335.33 points, or 1.58 percent, to 20,798.23.

Stocks of banking, capital goods, metal, auto, power and consumer durable sectors declined due to profit-booking.

Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty fell by 80.80 points, or 1.29 percent, to 6,185.95.

Brokers said a weak trend prevailed in the Asian region and markets remained under pressure as the US Federal Reserve is poised to continue tapering its stimulus programme. The market sentiment was also dampened by tighter credit conditions in China, raising fears of a slowdown, they added.

In the Asian region, Japan's Nikkei Index was down 2.49 percent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index shed 2.28 percent in early trade.

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 1.96 percent down in Friday's trade.