Mumbai, Oct 16 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading 56 points lower in afternoon trade Tuesday after heavy selling in metals, auto and consumer durables.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,784.75 points, was ruling at 18,657.55 points, down 56.00 points or 0.30 percent from its previous day's close at 18,713.55 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 18,801.10 points and a low of 18,657.55 points in intra-day trade.

The BSE midcap index was up 3.43 points, while the smallcap index was up 24.17 points.

On the sectoral front, the BSE metals index was down 76.54 points, followed by the auto index, down 75.33 points, and capital goods index, down 69.64 points.

The wider 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also down 13.05 points or 0.23 percent, ruling at 5,674.20 points.

Among other Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei was up 1.44 percent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng was trading at 0.28 percent higher. However, Shanghai's composite index was up 0.01 percent.