Mumbai, Feb 8 (IANS) A benchmark index for Indian equities was ruling with a negative bias -- 78 points lower than its previous close -- about 90 minutes into Monday morning trade.

At 10.28 a.m., the 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened weak at 15,931.34 points, was ruling at 15,837.09 points, down 78.56 points or 0.49 percent from its previous close at 15,915.65 points.

It had earlier staged a brief comeback into the green, rising to 15,954.27 points.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was at 4,733.5 points, against the previous close at 4,757.25 points, a loss of 0.5 percent or 23.75 points.

However, broader markets were in the green with the BSE midcap index up 0.12 percent and the BSE small cap index trading 0.64 percent higher.

Of the 13 BSE sectoral indices, with IT, energy and FMCG stocks were under selling pressure, while buying interest was seen in consumer durables and auto scrips.

The market breadth was positive, with as many as 1,377 stocks advancing, compared to 875 on the decline and 82 remaining unchanged.

Other Asian markets were in the red too.

The benchmark Japanese index, Nikkei, was ruling 0.38 percent lower at 10,019.18 points, and the Hang Seng of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange was down 0.21 percent at 19,623.97 points.

The Chinese Shanghai composite index too was in the negative territory, at 2,926.97 points, 0.42 percent down, while the Korean Kospi was ruling 0.94 percent lower at 1,552.32 points.