Erasing early gains, the Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex fell by 78 points at 1100 hrs today on emergence of profit-booking at higher levels.

The 30-share index, which gained 142.12 points in early trade, declined by 78.37 points, or 0.50 per cent, to 15,752.61 as realty, FMCG, capital goods and banking stocks succumbed to profit-booking.

In a similar fashion, the 50-share National Stock Exchange index Nifty fell by 30.90 points at 4,649.60 at the same time.

Marketmen said an early recovery trend reversed as investors preferred to book profits in heavy-weight stocks at improved levels.

They said trading sentiment was also influenced after other Asian markets plunged into the negative terrain with losses up to 0.66 per cent.

Major losers which dragged the Sensex down were DLF Ltd down 1.44 per cent at Rs 392.60, ITC Ltd 1.24 per cent at Rs 242.80, Larsen and Toubro 1.35 per cent at Rs 1,499, BHEL 0.78 per cent at Rs 2,315.80 and Mahindra and Mahindra 1.05 per cent at Rs 916.50 and Maruti Suzuki 1.47 per cent at Rs 1,465.20.