Mumbai, April 15 : A benchmark index for Indian equities markets Friday slipped into the red amid negative Asian cues.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 19,670.07 points, was ruling at 19,420.1 points, down 276.76 points or 1.41 percent from its previous close at 19,696.86 points.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was trading 1.38 percent lower at 5,830.2 points.

Broader markets were ruling flat.

Banking, auto, consumer durables stocks were among the major gainers, while IT and telecom scrips were in the red.

Among major gainers on the Sensex were Hero Honda, Jaiprakash Associates, Hindalco Industries and Bharti Airtel, while the losers included Infosys, Wipro, ONGC and TCS.

The market breadth was positive with 1,359 stocks advancing, 1,230 on the decline and 106 remaining unchanged.

Asian markets were ruling lower with concerns on the Japanese nuclear front and Chinese monetary policy tightening pushed traders on the back foot.

The Japanese Nikkei average was ruling 0.75 percent up at 9,581.71 points, while the Shanghai composite index of the Chinese stock exchanges moved down 0.19 percent to rule at 3,036.95 points.

The Hang Seng of the Hong Kong stock exchange too was up, trading 0.28 percent lower at 23,947.2 points. (IANS)