Mumbai, Aug 3 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was 168 points down in Friday afternoon trade as metal, realty and capital goods stocks came under intense selling pressure.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,164.48 points, was ruling at 17,056.33 points, 0.98 percent or 168.03 points down from its previous day's close at 17,224.36 points.

The BSE metal index was down 261.38 points, followed by realty index, down 29.60 points, and capital goods, down 167.97 points.

The wider 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was ruling 0.99 percent down at 5,175.90 points.

The main Sensex losers were Coal India, down 3.18 percent at Rs.335.90; Sterlite Inds, down 3.05 percent at Rs.101.60; Hindalco Inds, down 2.85 percent at Rs.115.75; Tata Steel, down 2.83 percent at Rs.394.40; and Tata Motors, down 2.51 percent at Rs.217.60.

The major Sensex gainers were Dr Reddy's Lab, up 1.55 percent at Rs.1,670.90; Cipla, up 1.04 percent at Rs.353.10; NTPC, up 0.31 percent at Rs.163.80; and ONGC, up 0.05 percent at Rs.276.90.

Among other Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei was down 1.13 percent while Shanghai's composite index was 0.76 percent higher. Hong Kong's Hang Seng was also down 0.87 percent.