MUMBAI: The benchmark BSE Sensex fell by 22 points in early trade as funds and retail investors preferred to book profits after two sessions of gains amid a weakening global trend.

The 30-share barometer, which had gained 104.53 points in the past two sessions, declined by 21.92 points, or 0.09 percent, to 22,486.50 with stocks of metals, banking and IT sectors coming under some pressure.

Similarly, the NSE Nifty also traded lower by 4.25 points, or 0.06 percent, to 6,711.05.

Brokers said apart from profit-booking by participants at prevailing levels, a weak trend on the other Asian bourses following overnight weakness at the US market on disappointing corporate earnings mainly dampened the trading sentiments here.

Among other Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei fell by 2.30 percent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng shed 0.33 percent in early trade on Wednesday. The U.S. Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.78 percent lower in on trade.

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