The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex dipped below 15,000-point level by losing over 145 points in early trade on Tuesday, as foreign funds and retail investors engaged in off-loading positions on worries over weak rains, crucial for the domestic demand-led economy.

The BSE-30 share benchmark Sensex, which had lost almost 895 points, or 5.6 per cent in past three sessions, fell by 145.54 points at 14,864.23 in early trade.

Similarly, the Nifty index on the wide-based National Stock Exchange lost 38.75 points to 4,398.90.

Stocks of FMCG, capital goods and PSUs sectors, which had risen sharply in the recent run-up, succumbed to profit-taking, pulling down the Sensex.

Sentiments remained bearish as foreign institutional investors remained major sellers on the bourses as the monsoon rainfall so far has been much below normal.

In the FMCG sector, ITC Ltd fell by 1.27per cent to Rs 221.10, Nestle India by 1.19 per cent to Rs 2,146, United Spirit by 1.88 per cent to Rs 863.45, Britannia by 2.02 per cent to Rs 1,675 and Dabur India by 1.11 per cent to Rs 129.

Further, BHEL moved down by 1.11 per cent to Rs 2,125, Larsen and Toubro by 1.98 per cent to Rs 1,410, HDFC Ltd by 2.62 per cent to Rs 2,267.70, Infosys Technologies by 0.64 per cent to Rs 2,073.40 and Sterlite Industries by 1.25 per cent to Rs 624.10.

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.34 per cent down on Monday.