Mumbai, Sep 18 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was ruling 19.32 points down Tuesday in afternoon trade after early gains, as oil and gas stock lost.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,514.72 points, was trading at 18,522.99 points, 19.32 points or 0.10 percent down from its previous day's close at 18,542.31 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 18,580.48 and a low of 18,480.96 points in intra-day trade. The BSE midcap index was up 58.63 points, while the smallcap index was 49.07 points high.

The wider 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was also ruling 0.90 points or 0.02 percent up at 5,610.90 points.

On the sectoral front, the BSE oil and gas index was down 65.44 points while metals was down 42.54 points.

Major gainers were BHEL, up 5.80 points or 2.72 percent at Rs.219.20; SBI, up 49.15 points or 2.37 percent at Rs.2,125.30; Gail India, up 8.55 points or 2.27 percent at Rs.385.10; Infosys 52.30 points or 2.04 percent at Rs.2,614.90; and Jindal Steel, up 6.75 points or 1.71 percent at Rs.401.30.

The major Sensex losers were Wipro, down 11.15 points or 2.90 percent at Rs.373.00; HDFC, down 15.55 points or 2.00 percent at Rs.763.30; TCS, down 26.40 points or 1.97 percent at Rs.1,314.50; RIL, down 13.65 points or 1.56 percent at Rs.860.00; and Hindalco Inds, down 1.35 points or 1.15 percent at Rs.115.90.

Among other Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei was down 0.36 percent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng was trading 0.09 percent down. Shanghai's composite index was down 0.86 percent.