Mumbai, Sep 5 (IANS): A benchmark index for Indian equities markets Monday slipped further in noon trade as selling intensified in IT and energy stocks. Negative cues from Asian markets also contributed to the selling pressure.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 16,678.34 points was ruling 16,604.99 points, down 216.47 points or 1.29 percent from its previous close at 16,821.46 points.

The Sensex hit an intra-day low of 16,580.97 points.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was also trading in the red, 1.21 percent down at 4,979.1 points.

Both benchmark indices had advanced over 6 percent in last week's trade.

Broader markets were also ruling lower with the BSE 100 index down 0.94 percent.

Among the sectoral indices on the BSE, IT, oil and gas and telecom stocks were among major losers, while consumer durables were gaining at this time.

At the BSE, the market breadth was negative with 1,113 stocks advancing, 1,317 scrips declining and 104 remaining unchanged.

Other Asian markets too were ruling in the red as traders stepped on the selling pedal, disappointed by US jobs data released last Friday.

The benchmark Japanese Nikkei closed 1.86 percent down at 8,784.46 points, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng was trading 2.72 percent lower at 19,663.08 points.

Chinese stocks were also in the red. The Chinese Shanghai Composite index was ruling 1.63 percent down at 2,487 points.