Mumbai, Oct 28 - A key index of the Indian equities markets started trade with a negative bias Wednesday and was ruling 0.82 percent in the red about 30 minutes after start of trade after having lost 2.3 percent a day earlier.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) opened lower at 16,335.78 points and, 30 minutes into trade, was at 16,219.91 points, 0.82 percent or 133.49 points lower than its previous close at 16,353.4 points.

Around the same time, the S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also in the red at 4,809.9 points, down 0.76 percent from its last close.

Broader market indices were in the negative as well, with the BSE midcap index 1.49 percent down, while the BSE small cap index was trading 1.55 percent lower. (dpa)