Mumbai, May 4 (IANS): Negative global cues, along with lower crude oil prices and caution ahead of upcoming quarterly results, plunged the Indian equity markets on Wednesday.

Consequently, the key indices of the Indian equity markets traded in the red during the early morning trade session.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) edged lower by 29.40 points or 0.38 percent, at 7,717.60 points.

The barometer 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 25,210.87 points, traded at 25,122.55 points (at 9.45 a.m.) -- down 107.15 points or 0.42 percent from the previous close at 25,229.70 points.

The Sensex has so far touched a high of 25,210.87 points and a low of 25,104.39 Apoints during the intra-day trade.

The BSE market breadth was tilted in favour of the bears -- with 911 declines and 590 advances.

Both the key Indian indices had ended in the negative territory during the previous trade session on Tuesday. The barometer index had declined by 207.27 points or 0.81 percent.

Similarly, the NSE Nifty closed lower by 58.90 points or 0.75 percent.