New Delhi  - Indian share markets opened on a negative note Thursday and continued to trade in negative ground through the day, tracking global cues.

Bombay Stock Exchange's 30-share sensitive index Sensex was down by over 300 points on its previous close, dipping by 1.76 per cent at mid-day, while the broader
50-share Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was down by 1.71 per cent.

All sectoral indices were trading in the negative except for information technology.

The worst-hit were the banking, auto, capital goods, metal and realty sectors.

Most Asian markets declined in their initial session of trade on Thursday due to concerns that rising crude oil prices would increase costs and reduce demand for consumer goods. (dpa)