Mumbai, Nov 1 (IANS): Indian equity markets opened on a flat note with a negative bias during the early morning trade session on Tuesday.
The wider 51-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) edged lower to 8,623 points -- down 2.70 points or 0.03 per cent.
The barometer 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 27,966.18 points, traded at 27,915.74 points (at 9.30 a.m.) -- down 14.47 points or 0.05 per cent, from its previous close at 27,930.21 points.
The Sensex has so far touched a high of 27,991.89 points and a low of 27,872.15 points during the intra-day trade.
The BSE market breadth was tilted in favour of the bears -- with 847 declines and 805 advances.
On Sunday, a special trade session was held to mark the start of the Hindu New Year - Samvat 2073. The annual one-hour special session was held between 6.30 p.m and 7.30 p.m.
The benchmark indices had ceded their initial gains during the special "Muhurat" trade session to close on a negative note due to caution ahead of key global events' risks, negative international cues and profit booking.
The barometer index had declined by 11.30 points or 0.04 per cent, while the NSE Nifty edged lower by 12.30 points or 0.14 per cent.
The equity markets were closed on Monday on account of Diwali Balipratipada.