The BSE benchmark index Sensex which fell 55 points in early trade today was trading 42 points down at 17,150 a short while ago. In a similar fashion, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty which declined 21 points in the opening session was trading 16 points down at 5,184 a short while ago.In the Asian region, the Hong Kong's Hang Seng index shed 0.04 per cent, while Japan's Nikkei was quoted 0.16 per cent higher in early trade.