Mumbai, Jul 11 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Wednesday closed 129 points lower on weak European cues. Realty, auto, and metal stocks came under selling pressure.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), opened at 17,553.97 points and was trading at 17,489.14 points (provisional), down 0.73 percent or 129.21 points from its previous close at 17,618.35 points.

The BSE mid-cap was down 10.79 points and small cap was down 19.22 points.

The wider 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange closed at 5,303.15 points down 0.79 percent.

Traders said a correction in US stocks Tuesday due to poor earnings was the reason for fall in Asia and Europe.

The BSE realty index was down 21.67 points. And so were the automobile index, down 115.69 points, and the metal index, down 122.88 points.

The main losers were Hindalco Inds, down 2.94 percent at Rs.123.85; Wipro, down 2.22 percent at Rs.375.95; Tata Motors, down 2.11 percent at Rs.241.20; RIL, down 1.94 percent at Rs.725.15; and Sterlite Inds, down 1.94 percent at Rs.106.20.

The only three Sensex gainers were Larsen and Toubro up 1.18 percent at Rs.1,434.50; HDFC Bank, up 0.25 percent at Rs.585.90 and NTPC, up 0.25 percent at Rs.160.15.