Mumbai, Nov 20 (IANS): A benchmark index for Indian equities markets Tuesday was trading flat in late afternoon trade following heavy selling in metal, capital goods and information technology (IT) stocks.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,422.69 points, was ruling at 18,339.45 points, up 0.45 points from its previous close at 18,339.00 points.

The benchmark index touched a high of 18,467.91 points and low of 18,326.00 points intra-day. The BSE midcap index was lower by 25.95 points and the smallcap index was down by 21.19 points.

The wider 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also fell 9.45 points or 0.17 percent at 5,561.95 points.

There was heavy selling pressure in metals, capital goods and IT stocks.

The BSE metals index was down 58.17 points, while the capital goods index was lower by 44.85 points, followed by IT index, down 30.35 points.

However, the BSE auto index was up 18.15 points.

Among other Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei was down 0.12 percent while Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 0.02 percent. China's Shanghai Composite Index was down 0.40 percent.