The domestic equity benchmark indices were trading in the negative territory in the early deals on Wednesday amid elevated crude oil prices due to escalating tensions in Middle East that weighed on investor sentiment.

Markets open flat

The 30-share BSE Sensex shed 51.05 points or 0.07 per cent at 72,982.73 in the initial trade. The 50-share NSE Nifty dipped 48.55 points or 0.21 per cent at 22,679.00 in the early deals.