The Sensex and the Nifty today fell around half a percent in the afternoon trade. Both stock indices slipped amid negative global markets.

The Sensex was trading near 53,600 points while the Nifty was trading below the 16,000 mark.  
The Sensex lost 269 points, or 0.50 percent, to trade at 53,617. The Nifty also fell 68 points, or 0.42 percent, to trade at 15,990 when reports last came in.

In the forex market, the rupee also weakened seven paise to trade at 79 rupees and 67 paise against the US dollar in the afternoon deals.