Mumbai, Nov 11 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Tuesday was trading flat at 24.97 points or 0.09 percent up as the oil and gas sector gained.

Good buying was observed in oil and gas, auto, healthcare and banking sectors, while selling pressure was seen in consumer durables and IT sectors.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 27,911.25 points, was trading at 27,899.70 points (at 01.11 p.m.) in the afternoon session, up 24.97 points or 0.09 percent from the previous day's close at 27,874.73 points.

The Sensex has touched a high of 27,996.92 points and a low of 27,790.40 points in the trade so far.

The S&P oil and gas index gained by 85.53 points, auto index increased by 80.64 points, healthcare index moved up by 60.73 points and bankex went up by 57.09 points.

However, consumer durables index slipped by 78.01 points and IT index dropped by 55.62 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading at 5.85 points or 0.07 percent up at 8,350.10 points.