Key benchmark indices were trading on a weak note on subdued global cues and uncertainty over the outcome of state election results. Exit poll results indicate a tight race between BJP and Congress in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and an edge for the Congress in Rajasthan. The election results for five states Rajasthan, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram and Chhattisgarh will be announced tomorrow. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was down 581.92 points or 1.63% at 35,091.33.

Among the sectoral indices on BSE, the S&P BSE Realty index (down 2.72%), the S&P BSE Power index (down 2.5%), the S&P BSE Oil & Gas (down 1.92%), the S&P BSE Metal index (down 1.82%), the S&P BSE Capital Goods index (down 1.6%), the S&P BSE Healthcare index (down 1.52%), the S&P BSE FMCG index (down 1.47%), the S&P BSE Consumer Durables index (down 1.46%), the S&P BSE Bankex index (down 1.35%), the S&P BSE Auto index (down 1.32%), the S&P BSE TECK index (down 1.15%) and the S&P BSE IT index (down 1.1%) edged lower.

Overseas, Asian shares traded lower Monday following weaker-than-expected Chinese trade data released over the weekend.

US stocks closed sharply lower on Friday as a lack of concrete progress toward reducing US-China trade tensions bolstered risk-off sentiment and overshadowed the November employment report.