The benchmark BSE Sensex fell about 44 points in early trade on Tuesday as stocks of IT, technology, FMCG and metal companies succumbed to profit-booking after recent gains amid weak Asian cues.

The 30-share index declined by 43.64 points, or 0.17 per cent, to 25,692.26. In the previous session, the gauge gained 216.68 points.

Similarly, the NSE Nifty edged down by 12.75 points, or 0.16 per cent, to 7,821.70.

Brokers said emergence of profit-booking in select blue-chips after recent gains and a weak trend at other Asian bourses mainly dampened sentiment.

Among other Asian bourses, Hong Kong's Hang Seng was down by 0.14 per cent while Japan's Nikkei slipped 0.67 per cent in early trade on Tuesday. The Shanghai Composite index fell 0.67 per cent.

The US Dow Jones, however, rose 0.72 per cent in Monday's trade.