Mumbai, Feb 4 (IANS) A benchmark index for Indian equities shut shop 271 points in the red Thursday amid depressed global cues.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 16,500.29 points, closed at 16,224.95 points, down 271.1 points or 1.64 percent below its previous close at 16,496.05 points.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty ended at 4,845.35 points, against the previous close at 4,931.85 points, a loss of 1.75 percent or 86.5 points.

Broader market indices also ended in the red, with the BSE midcap index down 1.95 percent and the BSE small cap index falling 1.61 percent.

All 13 sectoral indices on the BSE ended in the red with realty, metals and auto stocks losing the most.

The market breadth was negative, with only 836 stocks advancing against 2,003 scrips declining and 60 remaining unchanged.

Of the 30 scrips on the Sensex, 27 ended losers.

The three gainers were ONGC, up 0.56 percent at Rs.1,139.50; ITC, up 0.32 percent at Rs.253.35, and Hero Honda, up 0.03 percent at Rs.1,601.10.

Top losers included Hindalco, down 6.37 percent at Rs.146.15; Jaiprakash Associates, down 4.59 percent at Rs.131.10; Tata Motors, down 4.36 percent at Rs.690.20; and DLF, down 4.33 percent at Rs.321.25.

According to data with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), foreign institutional investors were net buyers Thursday having bought scrips worth $105.49 million.

Profit booking hit most major Asian markets, which closed in the red too.

Toyota Motors' car recall woes added as a drag to the benchmark Japanese index, Nikkei, which closed 0.46 percent lower at 10,355.98 points.

The Hang Seng of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange was hit by profit selling and ended 1.84 percent down at 20,341.64 points.

The Chinese Shanghai composite index too was in the negative territory at 2,995.31 points, 0.28 percent down, though the Korean Kospi ended 0.09 percent higher at 1,616.42 points.

European markets were wary ahead of a monetary policy rate decision by the European Central Bank and the Bank of England.

At the closing bell in Mumbai, FTSE 100, the benchmark index of the London Stock Exchange, was ruling 0.77 percent lower at 5,212.78 points, while the French CAC 40 index was down 1.01 percent at 3,755.16 points.

Its German peer DAX was also ruling lower at 5,616.28 points, down 0.98 percent.