Mumbai, Jun 26 (IANS): A benchmark index for Indian equities markets was trading 64 points down Tuesday. FMCG, consumer durable and metal stocks were among the underperformers.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 16,873.09 points, was trading at 16,817.45 points around 2:45 p.m., down 0.38 percent or 64.79 points.

The wider 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was trading 0.27 percent lower at 5,100.90 points.

The BSE FMCG index was down 59.25 points, the consumer durable index was down 63.55 points and the metal index down 80.21 points.

Major Sensex losers were Hindustan Unilever, down 2.30 percent at Rs.449.75; Tata Steel, down 1.91 percent at Rs.406.65; Sterlite Inds, down 1.51 percent at Rs.97.65; ITC, down 1.32 percent at Rs.246.75; Bharti Airtel, down 1.20 percent at Rs.305.

Major Sensex gainers were Gail India, up 2.40 percent at Rs.351.70; ONGC, up 1.43 percent at Rs.276.85; TCS, up 1.07 percent at Rs.1,228.70; Tata Power, up 1.06 percent at Rs.94.90 and Sun Pharma, up 0.69 percent at Rs.613.55.