Mumbai, Mar 5 (IANS): A benchmark index for Indian markets was trading nearly 1.5 percent down in the Monday afternoon session due to heavy selling pressure in metal, realty and banking stocks.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) opened at 17,598.42 points and was ruling at 17,379.06 in the afternoon session, down 1.46 percent or 257.93 points from its previous close at 17,636.99 points.
The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was ruling 1.45 percent down at 5,281.55 points.
There was heavy selling pressure in metal, realty and banking stocks.
The BSE metal index was down almost three percent. The realty index was ruling 2.7 percent down and the banking index was trading 2.43 percent lower.
The broader market indices as well as all the sectoral indixes were also in the red.