Mumbai, Apr 20 (IANS): Indian equities were ruling in the red intra-day Friday after a key index opened lower, following a rise of more than 400 points this week largely due to the favourable monetary policy announced by the central bank three days ago.

The sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) opened at 17,459.72 points, against the previous close of 17,503.71 points. After moving to an intra-day high of 17,519.88 points and a low of 17,441.49 points, it was ruling at 17,481.98 points.

At this level around 1.30 p.m., the barometer index was down 21.73 points, or 0.12 percent.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange ended the day 0.29 percent or 15.35 points down at 5,317.05 points.

Top losers included BHEL, down 4.55 points at Rs.246.65, Tata Power, down 1.50 points at Rs.105.95, Larsen and Toubro (L&T), down 13.65 points at Rs.1,305.10, Hindalco Inds, down 1.30 points at Rs.126.85 and Reliance Industries (RIL) down 7.45 points at Rs.734.30.

Top gainers included Mahindra and Mahindra, up 18.35 points at 724.60, Bharti Airtel, up 4.30 points at 327.50, Tata Steel, up 6 points at Rs.473, Maruti Suzuki, up 15.25 points at Rs.1,404.60 and Wipro, up 3.80 points at 425.05.

The midcap index was down 18.92 points while the smallcap index closed 13.00 points higher.