The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex lost 80 points in early trade today on emergence of profit selling in heavy-weight stocks led by refinery and capital good shares.

The 30-share index, which had gained 112.47 points in its previous day's trading, shed 80.57 points to 14,992.97.

The wide-based National Stock Exchange's index Nifty also lost 23.85 points at 4,493.70 as heavy weight stocks like Reliance Industries, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and DLF Ltd declined on profit-booking.

According to marketmen, the market witnessed profit selling as prices in the last two-day trading session recorded handsome gains.

 
A weak trend in other Asian markets is also said to influence the trading sentiment.