Nifty 50 Outlook, Dec. 15 -- Indian equity markets were lower on Monday, mirroring the weak tone across global markets as investors turned cautious amid concerns over global growth, geopolitical tensions, and currency volatility.

The BSE Sensex slipped 279 points, or 0.33%, to hover near 84,989 in early trade, while the Nifty50 dipped 81 points, or 0.31%, to 25,966. Early moves indicated broad-based pressure as traders awaited fresh global cues and key domestic data releases scheduled for later in the week.

Broader markets also trended weaker, reflecting continued risk aversion. The Nifty MidCap index fell 0.40%, while the Nifty SmallCap index declined 0.15%, signalling mild profit-booking after recent gains.

"A major drag on the marke...