The BSE benchmark index Sensex today declined by 70 points in early trade as funds and retail investors booked profits after yesterday's gains. The 30-share index, which had gained 274 points yesterday, fell by 70 points to 16,153 with stocks of metals, oil and gas banking sectors succumbing to profit-booking.Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty shed 19 points to 4,903.In the Asian region, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index fell 0.35 per cent, while Japan's Nikkei Index surrendered initial gains to trade flat. The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.27 per cent higher yesterday.