New Delhi: Equity benchmark indices declined in early trade on Monday as investors opted to book profits after the recent record rally in equities.

Mixed cues from Asian markets also added to the muted trend in domestic equities.

After beginning the trade on a weak note, the 30-share BSE Sensex further declined 204.39 points to 79,792.21. The NSE Nifty dipped 40.75 points to 24,283.10.

Among the Sensex pack, Titan, Asian Paints, Adani Ports, Bajaj Finserv, UltraTech Cement and Maruti were the biggest laggards.

In Asian markets, Shanghai and Hong Kong were trading lower while Seoul and Tokyo quoted in the green.

In a volatile session on Friday, the broader NSE Nifty continued its record-breaking run and inched up 21.70 points or 0.09 percent to close at its lifetime high of 24,323.85. The BSE benchmark, however, dropped 53.07 points or 0.07 percent to settle at 79,996.60.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude dipped 0.09 percent to USD 86.46 a barrel.

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