Mumbai, Aug 24 (IANS) A benchmark index for Indian equities Tuesday slipped further into the red during noon trade and was ruling 73 points lower than its previous close.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,407.01 points, was at 18,335.48 points, 73.87 points or 0.4 percent down from its previous close at 18,409.35 points.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was ruling 0.64 percent lower at 5,508.05 points.

Broader markets indices were also subdued, with the BSE midcap index trading 0.6 percent down and the BSE smallcap index 0.4 percent lower.

Weighing the markets down were realty and metal stocks, while FMCG scrips saw some buying.

The market breadth was tilted towards the negative with 1,116 scrips advancing, compared to 1,675 stocks declining and 95 remaining unchanged.

Other major Asian bourses were ruling mixed.

A stronger Yen spooked exporters and investors and sent the Japanese Nikkei down 1.35 percent at 8,993.34 points while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was ruling flat at 20,884.43 points, tracking losses at Wall Street.

The Chinese Shanghai Composite index was trading 0.66 percent up at 2,656.76 points, backed by gains in realty stocks.