New Delhi, May 8 -- Indian equity benchmarks opened lower on Friday amid volatile global cues and a sharp rise in crude oil prices, as investors remained cautious over escalating geopolitical tensions and their possible impact on inflation and foreign fund flows.

The BSE Sensex was trading at 77,400.63 points, down 443.89 points or 0.57 per cent, while the NSE Nifty 50 slipped 113.65 points or 0.47 per cent to 24,213.00 points in early trade.

Selling pressure was seen largely in banking and automobile stocks. The Nifty Private Bank index declined 0.96 per cent, while the Nifty Auto and Nifty Oil & Gas indices fell 0.87 per cent and 0.78 per cent, respectively.

Other key sectors, including financial services and PSU banks, also traded i...