Mumbai, Jan 4 (IANS): A benchmark index for Indian equities markets was trading flat in afternoon trade Friday after profit booking on metal, capital goods and fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) stocks.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 19,782.59 points, was ruling at 19,745.46 points around 2.15 p.m. -- down 19.32 points or 0.10 percent from its previous close at 19,764.78 points.

The subdued sentiment followed bullish buying in the last two days after US lawmakers cleared the "fiscal cliff" deal.

The BSE Sensex Friday touched an intra-day high of 19,790.58 points and a low of 19,679.99 points. The BSE midcap index was up 12.88 points, while the smallcap index was higher by 24.26 points.

The wider 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) is also trading flat -- down 5.45 points or 0.09 percent at 6,004.05 points.

In the Sensex sectoral indices, public sector undertaking (PSU) index is up 76.63 points. The oil and gas index is up 75.66 points and information technology (IT) index is up 33.66 points.

However, the metal index fell 129.37 points; capital goods and FMCG index are down 28.91 and 27.79 points respectively.

Among other Asian markets, Hong Kong's Hang Seng was lower by 0.29 percent. China's Shanghai Composite Index was up 0.35 percent.