The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex on Thursday fell by 79 points in opening trade on selling in metal, capital goods and realty stocks by funds, which took cues from weak global markets.

The 30-share index lost 79.20 points, or 0.48 per cent, at 16,416.85 points in the first five minutes of trading.

The wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty fell by 28.60 points, or 0.47 per cent, to 4,903.25 points.

Brokers said fresh selling by funds following weak trend in global markets mainly led to fall in shares prices.

They said a rise in refinery stocks saved the market from major fall.

Japanese share fell by 0.58 per cent, while Hong Kong shares were 1.31 per cent lower in morning trade after overnight losses on the US stock markets.

The US stocks closed lower by 0.26 per cent as investors booked profits ahead of this week's keenly awaited official jobs data.