Mumbai, Jan 6 - A benchmark index of the Indian equities market Thursday was ruling 94 points down in afternoon trade amid mixed cues from Asian markets.

The 30-share sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 20,395.5 points, was ruling at 20,207.51 points, down 93.59 points or 0.46 percent from its previous close at 20,301.1 points.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was trading at 6,051.9 points, down 0.46 percent or 27.9 points.

Broader markets were also lacklustre, with the BSE midcap index ruling 0.94 percent lower and the BSE smallcap index trading 0.51 percent down.

Realty, FMCG, auto and capital goods were among major losing sectors, while some IT stocks were doing well.

The market breadth was negative, with 1,021 stocks advancing, compared to 1,688 scrips on the decline, while 108 stocks were unchanged.

Among the major gainers were Reliance Infra, NTPC, HDFC Bank and Hindalco Industires, while prominent losers included Sterlite Industries, Bajaj Auto, Hindustan Unilever and ONGC.

Other major bourses in Asia were mixed, though trader sentiments improved after release of strong US non-farm pay roll data.

The Japanese Nikkei index closed 1.44 percent higher at 10,529.76 points, while the Chinese Shanghai Composite index moved 0.51 percent lower at 2,824.2 points.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng was sluggish, trading 0.09 percent lower at 23,737.49 points. (IANS)