Mumbai, Feb 27 (IANS): Broadly negative global cues, coupled with a weak rupee and heavy selling pressure witnessed in banking, automobile and capital goods stocks, subdued investors' sentiments and pulled the Indian equities markets lower on Monday.

The wider 51-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) edged down by 42.80 points or 0.48 per cent to 8,896.70 points.

The barometer 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 28,910.50 points, provisionally closed at 28,812.88 points (at 3.30 p.m) -- down 80.09 points or 0.28 per cent, from the previous close at 28,892.97 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 28,961.83 points and a low of 28,791.19 points during the intra-day trade.

The BSE market breadth was tilted in favour of the bears -- with 1,520 declines and 1,267 advances.

On February 23, the benchmark indices closed on a flat-to-positive note as inflow of foreign funds and rupee appreciation buoyed investors' sentiments.

The NSE Nifty rose by 12.60 points or 0.14 per cent to close at 8,939.50 points, and the BSE Sensex was up 28.26 points or 0.10 per cent at 28,892.97 points.