Mumbai, Feb 28 (IANS): Caution ahead of the release of major domestic macro-economic data points, coupled with broadly negative global indices and a marginally weak rupee, suppressed the Indian equities markets on Tuesday.

The second advance estimates of national income, 2016-17, along with the estimates of Gross Domestic Product for the third quarter of 2016-17 and the Index of ECI (eight core industries) figures for January were slated to be released later on Tuesday.

The key indices provisionally closed in the red, as heavy selling pressure was witnessed in oil and gas, automobile and energy stocks.

The wider 51-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) edged down by 17.10 points or 0.19 per cent to 8,879.60 points.

The barometer 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 28,825.19 points, provisionally closed at 28,743.32 points (at 3.30 p.m.) -- down 69.56 points or 0.24 per cent from the previous close at 28,812.88 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 28,876.54 points and a low of 28,721.12 points during the intra-day trade.

On Monday, the benchmark indices ended lower on the back of negative global cues and outflow of foreign funds.

The NSE Nifty edged down by 42.80 points or 0.48 per cent to close at 8,896.70 points, and the BSE Sensex fell by 80.09 points or 0.28 per cent to 28,812.88 points.