Mumbai, Apr 12 (IANS): Negative global cues along with caution over the upcoming macro-economic data and weak rupee depressed the Indian equity markets during the mid-afternoon trade session on Wednesday.

The wider 51-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) dipped by 23.30 points or 0.25 per cent to 9,213.70 points.

The barometer 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE fell by 78.78 points or 0.26 per cent during the mid-afternoon trade session.

The BSE Sensex, which opened at 29,838.82 points, traded at 29,709.57 points (at 1.10 p.m.) from Tuesday's close at 29,788.35 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 29,838.82 points and a low of 29,549.74 points in the trade so far.

"Firm USD/INR futures dragged the Benchmark indices lower," said Dhruv Desai, Director and Chief Operating Officer of Tradebulls.

"Equity benchmarks extended losses in early trades and continued to be in the red, dragged by a fall in index heavyweights and weak global cues," Desia said.