Mumbai, Jan 7 (IANS): A benchmark index for Indian equities markets was trading flat in the late afternoon Monday after capital goods, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) and banks stocks plummeted.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 19,820.56 points, was ruling at 19,770.61 points around 1.30 p.m. -- down 13.47 points or 0.07 percent from its previous close at 19,784.08 points.

The BSE Sensex touched an intra-day high of 19,856.43 points and a low of 19,758.23 points. The BSE midcap index was up 47.04 points, while the smallcap index was higher by 69.75 points.

The wider 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading flat -- down 6.65 points or 0.11 percent at 6,009.50 points.

In the Sensex sectoral indices, capital goods index was down 100.99 points, followed by bank index, which was lower by 39.73 points and FMCG index which fell by 24.24 points.

In terms of gains, automobile index was up 89.81 points, while the healthcare index was up 70.85 points and metal index was up 67.98 points.

Among other Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei was down 0.83 points, Hong Kong's Hang Seng was lower by 0.29 percent. China's Shanghai Composite Index was up 0.37 percent.