Bagalore: The BSE benchmark Sensex slipped from almost three-year high by falling over 31 points in early trade as funds and retail investors booked profits after recent gains amid a weak trend in other Asian markets.

The 30-share barometer declined by 31.74 points, or 0.15 per cent, to 20,862.15. The index had gained 478.38 points in the previous two sessions.

Stocks of banking, oil and gas, realty, auto and FMCG sectors were the major losers.

Similarly, the National Stock Exchange index Nifty fell by 9.30 points, or 0.15 per cent, to 6,195.65.

Brokers said selling, mostly of a profit-booking nature, by funds after two sessions of gains amid a weak trend on other Asian bourses as markets waited for delayed US September jobs data due later in the day, mainly influenced the trading sentiment here.

In the Asian region, Japan's Nikkei Index was down 0.11 per cent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was up 0.55 per cent in early trade.

The U..S Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 0.05 per cent in previous trade.

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