MUMBAI: The benchmark BSE Sensex fell over 302 points in early trade to slip below the 27,000 level as stocks of banking, realty, healthcare, IT, metal and auto companies succumbed to profit booking by speculators, giving

up most of yesterday's gains amid a mixed trend at other Asian bourses.

The 30-share index slipped below the 27,000 mark by falling 302.48 points, or 1.10 percent, to 26,948.62. The gauge had gained 373.62 points in the previous session.

In a similar fashion, the NSE index Nifty dipped below the 8,200-mark by losing 98.15 points, or 1.19 percent, to 8,137.30.

Brokers said profit-booking by participants in stocks that recorded handsome gains in yesterday's trade and a mixed trend at other Asian markets tracking overnight losses at U.S. markets following a disappointing retail sales report dampened sentiment.

Among other Asian markets, Hong Kong Hang Seng was up 0.19 percent while Japan's Nikkie shed 0.55 percent in early trade today.

The U.S. Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.04 percent lower in yesterday's trade.