Mumbai, Oct 19 (IANS): Profit booking, negative global indices and caution over the ongoing quarterly results season subdued the Indian equity markets on Wednesday.

The wider 51-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) fell by 18.80 points or 0.22 per cent to 8,659.10 points.

The barometer 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 28,112.36 points, provisionally closed at 27,984.37 points (at 3.30 p.m.) -- down 66.51 points or 0.24 per cent from the previous close at 28,050.88 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 28,131.07 points and a low of 27,926.17 points during the intra-day trade.

In contrast, the BSE market breadth was tilted in favour of the bulls -- with 1,636 advances and 1,176 declines.

On Tuesday, the equity markets made substantial gains on the back of bargain hunting, positive global indices and fresh inflow of foreign funds.

The barometer index had gained 520.91 points or 1.89 per cent to 28,050.88 points, while the NSE Nifty edged higher by 157.50 points or 1.85 per cent to 8,677.90 points.