Mumbai, Aug 16 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading almost 39 points down Thursday afternoon after FMCG, metal and consumer durables stocks came under selling pressure.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,752.22 points, was ruling at 17,689.44 points, 0.22 percent or 38.76 points down from its previous trading day's close at 17,728.20 points.

The BSE FMCG index was down 97.12 points, followed by metal index, down 158.33 points, and consumer durables index down 54.92 points.

The wider 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was ruling 0.21 percent down at 5,368.95 points.

The main Sensex losers were ITC, down 3.19 percent at Rs.259.20; Sterlite Inds, down 2.76 percent at Rs.109.40; Hindalco Inds, down 1.91 percent at Rs.117.85; Wipro, down 1.90 percent at Rs.348.45; and Gail India down 1.87 percent at Rs.368.

The major gainers were Cipla, up 3.14 percent at Rs.359.90; Hero MotoCorp, up 2.84 percent at Rs.1,932.50; Mahindra & Mahindra, up 1.66 percent at Rs.759.50; and RIL, up 1.65 percent at Rs.811.95.

Among other Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei was up 1.88 percent while Shanghai's composite index was lower 0.32 percent. Hong Kong's Hang Seng was also down 0.36 percent.