Mumbai, Sept. 29 -- The key equity benchmarks traded with sharp losses in early trade, weighed down by weak global cues, a surge in crude oil prices and rising global bond yields. Investor sentiment was further dampened by the monthly expiry of derivative contracts on the NSE. The Nifty traded near the 22,650 mark.

Barring Pharma all the sectoral indices on the NSE traded in the red, with Media, Private Bank and IT shares witnessing the sharpest declines.

At 09:25 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex declined 411.63 points or 0.57% to 72,350.63. The Nifty 50 index dropped 122.95 points or 0.54% to 22,653.55.

In the broader market, the BSE 150 MidCap Index dropped 0.48% and the BSE 250 SmallCap Index fell 0.51%.

The market brea...