The benchmark BSE Sensex extended losses for the second day on Tuesday by slipping over 146 points and closed at 20,708.71.

It resumed lower at 20,839.45 and dropped further to 20,789.44 before quoting at 20,798.44 at 1030 hrs, showing a loss of 56.48 points, or 0.27 percent, from its last close.

The NSE 50-share Nifty also moved down by 10.50 points or 0.17 percent to 6,191.35 at 1030hrs.

Major losers were ICICI Bank (1.65 pct), Larsen (1.26 pct), Sun Pharma (0.89 pct), HUL (0.69 pct), ITC (0.63 pct) and Bajaj Auto (0.60 pct).

sian stocks fell in their early trade with investors awaiting influential US job data later this week.

Key benchmark indices in Indonesia, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and South Korea were down 0.15 pct to 2.05 pct, while that of China and Taiwan rose 0.35 pct to 1.27 pct.

US stocks declined for a third day on Tuesday as investors assessed reports on car and retail sales before US jobs data later this week that may offer clues on when the Federal Reserve will reduce stimulus.