Mumbai, Aug 10 (IANS): Taking a cue from global markets, the key Indian equity market indices on Thursday opened lower.

The Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE, which had closed at 31,797.84 points on Wednesday, opened lower at 31,750.73 points.

Minutes into trading, it was quoting at 31,677.18 points, down by 120.66 points, or 0.38 per cent.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 51-scrip Nifty, which had closed at 9,908.05 points, was quoting at 9,872.85 points, down by 35.20 points or 0.36 per cent.

The key Indian equity indices had extended their losses for the third consecutive session to close on a subdued note on Wednesday as investors booked profits.

According to market observers, sentiments were hampered by weak global markets on the back of geo-political tensions, coupled with heavy selling pressure in healthcare, automobile and banking stocks and outflow of foreign funds.

On Thursday, Asian indices were also showing negative trend.

Japan's Nikkei 225 was trading in red, down by 0.25 per cent, Hang Seng down by 1.65 per cent while South Korea's Kospi was also down by 1.21 per cent.

China's Shanghai Composite index was quoting in red, down by 0.72 per cent.

Nasdaq closed in red, down by 0.29 points while FTSE 100 was also down by 0.60 points at the closing on Wednesday.