Mumbai, Jun 13 (IANS): For the third consecutive day, a benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading down during the pre-noon trade. On Thursday, it was 1.19 percent or 227.54 points lower.

Selling pressure was observed in sectors like auto, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), healthcare, oil and gas, banking index (bankex) and public sector units (PSUs); while only two sectors showed some upward movement - consumer durables and metals.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,897.49 points, was trading at 18,813.59 points in the afternoon session, down 227.54 points or 1.19 percent from its previous day's close at 19,041.13 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 18,914.13 points and a low of 18,765.53 points in pre-noon trade.

The S&P BSE auto index plunged 249.46 points, the FMCG index dipped 108.82 points, the healthcare index slid 115.96 points, the oil and gas index went down by 89.28 points, the bankex slipped 118.61 points and the PSU index fell by 83.18 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was trading down by 0.88 percent or 50.85 points down at 5,709.35 points.