Mumbai, Nov 3 (IANS): A benchmark index for Indian equities markets Thursday was ruling 163 points lower in noon trade as IT, metals and banking stocks were under selling pressure.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 17,430.69 points, was ruling at 17,301.59 points, down 163.26 points or 0.93 percent from its previous close at 17,464.85 points.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was also trading lower, 50.7 points or 0.96 percent down at 5,207.75 points.

Broader markets were trading lacklustre as well with the BSE 500 index down 0.7 percent. The BSE midcap index and smallcap indices too slipped.

The market breadth at the BSE was negative with 1,024 stocks advancing and 1,482 scrips declining, while 122 remained unchanged.

Among major Sensex gainers were BHEL, Tata Power, Bharti Airtel and Cipla. The losing stocks included Tata Steel, Sterlite, HDFC Bank and Tata Motors.

Asian markets were trading mixed as concerns remained over the Euro zone debt crisis even as they awaited the proposed bailout plan to help the debt-ridden Greek economy.

The Japanese markets were closed Thursday. Hong Kong's Hang Seng was trading 2.13 percent down at 19,313.8 points.

The Chinese Shanghai composite index was, however, ruling 0.72 percent higher at 2,522.11 points.