Mumbai, Apr 5 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading 0.33 percent down Friday afternoon owing to heavy selling pressure in fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), consumer goods and bank stocks.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened in the red at 18,493.67 points, was trading at 18,449.20 points in the late afternoon session, down 60.50 points or 0.33 percent from its previous day's close at 18,509.70 points.

The Sensex slumped to a low of 18,389.29 points in the intra-day trade and touched a high of 18,518.16 points.

The wider 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was trading 0.18 percent or 10.25 points down at 5,564.50 points in the afternoon session.

The BSE FMCG index was down 75.30 points, followed by consumer durables index, lower by 46.70 points and the bank index, down by 36.18 points. However, oil and gas index was up 115.52 points, the automobile index was higher by 50.49 points and the metal index was up 44.42 points.