The 30-share index Sensex fell 32.87 points to 17,959.13 during the opening trade, on account of profit booking witnessed at upper levels together with weak worldwide signals.

Meanwhile, the broad-based Nifty eased by 8.95 points to 5399.55 during the opening trade.

The scrips trading in the pessimistic terrain were telecom, technology, select auto and select financial companies.

The top losers in the list comprised Tata Motors, Ambuja Cements, Idea Cellular, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, RCom, Bharti Airtel, PNB, ITC and Infosys.

But, M & M, Tata Steel, Jindal Steel, RIL, SBI, Maruti Suzuki remained positive during the opening trade.

The Central Bank of India climbed 6% and Bank of Maharashtra gained 3% on account of strong quarterly figures.

Asian markets were also trading on a lower note.

Nikkei and Hang Seng dropped 1-1.5 per cent. Hang Seng, Straits Times, Kospi and Taiwan fell 0.4-0.8 per cent. (With Inputs from Agencies)