Mumbai: The BSE benchmark sensex fell nearly 23 points in early trade on January 31 ahead of current month expiry in the derivatives segment amid a weak Asian trend.

The 30-share index shed 22.72 points, or 0.11 percent, to 19,982.28 with stocks of oil and gas, capital goods and auto leading the fall. The index had gained 14.10 points in the previous session.

Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange Nifty down 4.30 points, or 0.07 percent, to 6,051.45.

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Brokers said squaring-up of positions by participants as on January 31 being the last session of current month expiry in the derivatives segment, mainly dampened the sentiments.

Besides, a weak trend in the Asian region following overnight losses at the U.S. markets after data showed the world's biggest economy unexpectedly shrank in the last quarter of 2012, too, had its shadow, they said.

Meanwhile, in Asia, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index declined by 0.10 percent, while Japan's Nikkei by 0.61 percent in opening trade.

The U.S. Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.32 percent lower on January 30 trade.

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