Equity benchmarks extended losses in morning trade, with the Nifty falling below 9600 level and the Midcap losing over a percent on profit booking ahead of long weekend.

The 30-share BSE Sensex was down 85.74 points at 31,205 and the 50-share NSE Nifty fell 42 points to 9,588.

The BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices lost 1.4 percent each as about three shares declined for every share rising on the exchange.

Equity markets will remain shut on Monday for Ramzan Id holiday.