Mumbai, Jul 8 (IANS): Key Indian equity indices traded in the red after a flat opening on Friday, triggered by negative Asian markets.

The key indices were seen trading lower during the early morning trade session, with heavy selling pressure witnessed in stocks of banking, capital goods, and oil and gas.

The barometer 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 27,292.20 points, traded at 27,093.62 points (at 9.30 a.m.) -- down 107.87 points or 0.40 per cent from the previous close at 27,201.49 points. It has so far touched a high of 27,294.82 points and a low of 27,075.20 points.

The BSE market breadth was slightly tilted in favour of the bears -- with 742 declines and 713 advances.

The wider 51-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) edged down to 8,318.80 points -- down 19.10 points or 0.23 per cent.

On Thursday, the benchmark indices closed flat -- marginally in the green -- after a volatile trading session induced by profit-booking. The barometer index rose by 34.62 points or 0.13 per cent, while the Nifty inched up by 1.95 points or 0.02 per cent.