The BSE benchmark Sensex declined over 100 points pruning early gains as investors and traders preferred to lock in profits at higher levels.

The 30—share index of the Bombay Stock Exchange, which had lost about 260 points in the previous two sessions, recovered by 124.75 points or 0.62 per cent at 20,425.85 level in the opening trade. However, it could not hold the gains as the trading progressed.

At 3.10 pm, the Sensex was at 20,182.85, down by 118.25 points from its previous close.

Similarly, the broad—based National Stock Exchange index Nifty also was down 35.80 points at 6,044.00 points after rising to a high of 6,116.15.

Stocks of realty, auto, capital goods, FMCG and banking were down on the back of selling pressure, while IT, power and oil & gas were trading firm.

In the US, the Dow Jones Industrial Index ended 0.27 per cent up yesterday.

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