The domestic equity benchmark indices were trading in the negative territory in the early deals on Monday, due to the elevated crude oil prices amid the escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia, that dampened investor sentiment.

The 30-share BSE Sensex shed 270.49 points or 0.37 per cent at 72,853.34 in the initial trade. The 50-share NSE Nifty dropped 94.50 points or 0.42 per cent at 22,504.35 in the early trade.