Mumbai : The BSE benchmark Sensex fell by nearly 90 points in early trade on Tuesday after four sessions of gains on emergence of profit-booking by funds and retailers amid a weak trend in Asian markets.

The 30-share barometer, which gained nearly 455 points in the last four sessions, declined by 89.40 points, or 0.50 percent, to 17,677.38 with metal, banking and capital goods stocks leading the fall.

Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty fell by 31.35 points, or 0.58 percent, to 5,332.10.

Brokers said fresh selling by funds and retail investors, mostly of a profit-booking nature, and a weakening on Asian bourses influenced the trading sentiment.

Besides, a cautious approach adopted by participants ahead of IIP data to be released on Wednesday also impacted the trading sentiments, they said.

In Asian region, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index eased by 0.53 percent, while Japan’s Nikkei shed 0.80 percent in the opening trade on Tuesday.

The US Dow Jones had ended 0.39 per lower in Monday’s trade.