The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) today declined 211 points during noon trade after traders prefer to book profits and Asian markets turned pessimistic.

The Sensex, which belled the day at 17,777.95, stood at 17,562.42, down 211.84 points (1.19%) as against its last closure at 17,774.26.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broad-based Nifty was ruling 1.29% down at 5,264.75 from its previous close at 5,333.5.

Broader markets indices too were in the red with the BSE midcap index trading 0.41% down and the BSE smallcap index 0.26% lower.

Profit booking hit metals, oil and gas, and banking scrips.

All the 13 sectoral indices on the BSE were trading in the negative terrain.