Mumbai, Aug 14 - A key index of the Indian equities markets slipped into the red and was 49 points below its previous close about five minutes after the start of trade.

The sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) opened at 15,530.38 points, as against Thursday's close at 15,518.49 points. But it soon slipped to 15,469.1 points, 49.39 or 0.32 percent down from its previous close.

The S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) too was trading in the negative terrain at 4,595.85 points, a loss of 0.2 percent.

Broader market indices were, however, in the positive terrain with the BSE midcap index up 0.43 percent, and the BSE smallcap index ruling 0.86 percent higher.