Mumbai, May 22 -- The key equity indices traded with significant losses in early trade. The Nifty dropped below the 24,750 mark. Market sentiment remained cautious amid weak global cues, including concerns that the U.S. budget bill could significantly increase the national debt, potentially threatening the country's status as a global safe haven.

Barring media index all the sectoral indices on the NSE were traded in red with IT, FMCG and auto shares leading the fall.

At 09:25 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, fell 730.25 points or 0.87% to 80,888.61. The Nifty 50 index tumbled 208.85 points or 0.84% to 24,604.70.

In the broader market, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index declined 0.55% and the S&P BSE Small-Cap index shed 0.03%.

The...