Mumbai, Jul 23 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading 226.09 points down around 1.00 p.m. Monday after metals, capital goods and auto stocks came under selling pressure and weak Asian cues.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,047.73 points, was ruling at 16,932.35 points, down 1.32 percent or 226.09 points from its previous day's close at 17,158.44 points.

The BSE metal index was down 302.67 points, followed by capital goods index which was down 207.29 points, bank index was down 199.17 points and auto index was down 179.17 points.

The wider 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was ruling 1.39 percent, 72.60 points lower at 5,132.50 points.

Only two companies were major Sensex gainers -- Dr. Reddy's Lab, up 12.80 percent and 0.79 points at Rs.1,624, followed by TCS, up 0.95 points or 0.08 percent at Rs.1,224.

Sensex losers included Maruti Suzuki, down 5.64 percent or 64.60 points at Rs.1,079.95; Sterlite Inds, down 4.29 percent or 4.50 points at Rs.100.50; Hindalco Inds, down 3.69 percent or 4.50 points at Rs.117.50; BHEL, down 3.41 percent or 7.80 points at Rs.221.05; and Jindal Steel, down 3.06 percent or 13.05 points at Rs.413.50.

Among other Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei was down 161.55 points or 1.86 percent and Shanghai's composite index was trading 27.24 points or 1.26 percent lower. Hong Kong's Hang Seng was plunged by 624.96 points or 3.18 percent.