New Delhi - Indian equities markets slipped in early trade on Tuesday, with the key Sensex index shedding nearly 3 per cent, tracking weak global cues.

The 30-share index, which had gained 5.98 points on Monday, lost 277.45 points to 9,052.12 at 11:10 am (0540 GMT), a loss of 2.96 per cent.

The 50-share National Stock Exchange's Nifty index also slid 2.89 per cent or 82.15 points to 2,764.05 points around the same time.

Stock brokers said the trading sentiment turned weak as the global financial crisis deepened after Britain's third-largest bank, Royal Bank of Scotland, posted the biggest loss in British corporate history.

Major Asian bourses such as Japan's Nikkei and Hongkong's Hang Seng also fell by over 3 per cent in early trade on Tuesday. (dpa)