Mumbai, Jan 19 (IANS) A benchmark index of the Indian equities markets fell 59 points lower about an hour before noon Tuesday amid mixed cues from other Asian markets.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,650.82 points, was at 17,581.21 points, down 59.87 points or 0.34 percent from its previous close at 17,641.08 points.

Around the same time, at the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was at 5,254.4 points, against the previous close at 5,274.85 points, a loss of 0.39 percent.

Broader market indices were doing better, with the BSE midcap index up 0.38 percent and the BSE small cap index trading 0.63 percent higher.

The market breadth was positive, with 1,503 stocks advancing, compared to 1,182 on the decline, and 62 remaining unchanged.

Among major gainers at this time were Reliance Infra, up 1.38 percent at Rs.1,143.90; Sterlite Industries, up 1.16 percent at Rs.877.10; BHEL, up 0.99 percent at Rs.2,400; and Tata Power, up 0.6 percent at Rs.1,449.

Top losers included ACC, down 2.44 percent at Rs.959.30; Hero Honda, down 2.08 percent at Rs.1,659.50; M&M, down 1.79 percent at Rs.1,157; and ONGC, down 1.62 percent at Rs.1,192.85.

Other Asian markets were ruling mixed, with the benchmark Japanese index, Nikkei, trading 0.94 percent lower at 10,753.51 points.

The Hang Seng of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange was 0.37 percent lower at 21,381.37 points, while the Korean Kospi was flat at 1,711.45, down 0.02 percent.

However, the Chinese Shanghai composite index was up 0.15 percent at 3,242.02 points.