Mumbai, Jul 2 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading 0.18 percent or 31.93 points down in the afternoon session Monday, led by robust buying in bank, metal and capital goods stocks.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,438.68 points, was trading at 17,398.05 points around 1.30 p.m., down 0.18 percent or 31.93 points from its previous close at 17,429.98 points.

An online technical glitch at the BSE website had led to the earlier inadvertent error in the report.

The wider 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also was trading 0.09 percent or 4.95 points higher at 5,283.85 points.

The BSE auto index was down 66.94 points, oil and gas index was also down 34.44 points and the information technology (IT) index was down 15.77 points.

Major Sensex gainers were Sterlite Inds, up 1.51 percent at Rs.104.20, Maruti Suzuki, up 1.38 percent at Rs.1,185.90; Tata Steel, up 1.35 percent at Rs.447.25; BHEL, up 1.21 percent at Rs.234.90; and Bharti Airtel, up 1.18 percent at Rs.308.60.

Major Sensex losers were Jindal Steel, down 1.87 percent at Rs.460.70; TCS, down 1.12 percent at Rs.1,263.25; Tata Motors, down 1.09 percent at Rs.239.40; Hero MotoCorp, down 1.08 percent at Rs.2,119; and Bajaj Auto, down 1.00 percent at Rs.1,556.35.