The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) dropped during morning trade and was trading 0.5% lower than its last closure.

The Sensex, which opened the day at 16,942.82, stood at 16,849.41, down 95.22 points (0.56%) as against its previous close at 16,944.63.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broad-based Nifty was trading 0.6% down at 5,055.65 from its previous close.

Broader markets indices were still holding up, with the BSE midcap index trading 0.42% higher and the BSE smallcap index 0.47% up.

The Sensex of the Bombay Stock Exchange continued its upward movement for the fourth successive trading session on Monday by gaining 81.57 points to end strongly at 16,944.63.

The NSE Nifty index also surged 19.75 points to end the day at 5,086.30.

Oil and gas, auto, select capital goods, banking and metal companies' shares assisted the index.

But, Sterlite, TCS, Infosys, Suzlon, DLF, Jaiprakas Associates, Reliance Communications, HDFC Bank, Siemens, Unitech, ACC, ABB, Hindalco and Cipla were the losers. (With Inputs from Agencies)