The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex declined by over 12 points in opening trade on Tuesday as funds and investors locked-in gains amid weak global cues.

The 30-share barometer, which had gained over 256 points in the last two sessions, fell by 12.78 points, or 0.06 per cent to 20,104.60 level in early morning trade.

Realty, IT and banking sector stocks were under slight pressure and dragged the Sensex down.

The wide-based National stock Exchange, Nifty index also slipped by 7.70 points, or 0.12 per cent to 6,027.95.

Analysts said the fall in stock prices was due to profit-taking by funds and a weak trend on the Asian bourses. However, the sentiment remained bullish on the back of capital inflows by funds.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index was trading lower by 1.06 per cent, while Japan’s Nikkei shed 0.61 per cent in the early trade. The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.44 per cent down in Monday’s trade.