Mumbai, April 16 (Inditop.com) It was another weak opening for a benchmark index of Indian equities Friday, which was ruling 66 points lower than its previous close, almost an hour into trade.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,645.91 points, was ruling at 17,572.45 points, 66.81 points or 0.38 percent lower than its previous close at 17,639.26 points.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was ruling at 5,249.3 points, a loss of 0.46 percent from its previous close.

Broader market indices too, were ruling in the negative with the BSE midcap index trading 0.31 percent lower, and the BSE small cap index ruling 0.26 percent down.

Scrips from realty and energy sectors were facing bulk of the selling pressure.