The benchmark S&P BSE Sensex failed to maintain initial gains and was quoted lower by 19 points in the morning trade due to mild selling pressure mainly in banking, realty and FMCG counters tracking weak Asian cues.

The Sensex opened higher at 20,755.73 and firmed up further to 20,778.13 on initial buying mainly in metal, power and refinery sector stocks.

It, however, declined afterwards to 20,669.80 before quoting at 20,710.23 at 1030 hours, showing a loss of 19.15 points or 0.09 percent from its last close.