Mumbai, Jul 13 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets closed 22 points down Friday, weighed down by consumer durable, realty and metal stocks.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened in the positive at 17,269.20 points,closed at 17,209.80 points (provisional) down 0.13 percent or 22.75 points from its previous day close at 17,232.55 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 17,342.88 points and low of 17,182.29 points in the intra-day trade.

The wider 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange closed 0.21 percent down at 5,224.25 points. The Nifty had plunged 1.34 percent or 71.05 points Thursday.

The major Sensex losers were: Jindal Steel, down 3.68 percent at Rs.428.50; Hindalco Inds, down 2.23 percent at Rs.120.30; Tata Power, down 1.98 percent at Rs.98.80; SBI, down 1.80 percent at Rs.2,177 and Infosys, down 1.70 percent at Rs.2,226.75.

The major Sensex gainers were: Hero MotoCorp, up 1.43 percent at Rs.2,088; HDFC Bank, up 1.21 percent at Rs.586.85; TCS, up 1.10 percent at Rs.1249.65; and ONGC, up 0.92 percent at Rs.284.75.

The Sensex had slumped 1.47 percent or 256.59 points Thursday due to a disappointing earnings forecast announced by Infosys.