From correspondents in Maharashtra, India, 01:03 PM IST

The Indian equities markets opened weak Tuesday and continued to be in the red 45 minutes into trading with a key index down more than 150 points after opening more than 200 points down on weak global cues and continuing nervousness.

Some 45 minutes into trading, the 30-share benchmark sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) was ruling at 9,132.42, down 158.59 points or 1.71 percent from its previous close at 9,291.01 points.

The Sensex opened lower at 9,084.12, down 206.89 or 2.22 percent and hit a low of 8,957.52 before inching back on short covering, analysts said.

The broader-based 50 share S and amp;P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also showed a similar trend and was ruling at 2,767.85, down 31.7 points or 1.13 percent from its previous close at 2,799.55 points.

The BSE midcap index was ruling at 3,091.74, down 41.62 points or 1.33 percent from its previous close at 3,133.36 points.

The BSE smallcap index was ruling at 3,613.65, down 47.74 points or 1.30 percent from its previous close at 3,661.39 points.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)