Mumbai, June 20 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets plunged by 2.08 percent or 399.49 points during the pre-noon session Thursday.

Selling pressure was observed in all stocks. It was led by the banking index (bankex), metals, oila nd gas, public sector undertakings (PSUs), capital goods, autos and fast moving consumer goods.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 19,069.20 points, was trading at 18,846.21 points in the pre-noon session, down 399.49 points or 2.08 percent from its previous day's close at 19,245.70 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 19,069.20 points and a low of 18,822.65 points in pre-noon trade.

The S&P BSE bankex plummeted 424.55 points, metals dipped 326.72 points, oil and gas plunged 204.93 points, PSUs slipped 141.84 points, capital goods slid 201.99 points, autos tanked 175.63 points and FMCG dropped by 100.08 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was trading down at 2.26 percent or 131.65 points down at 5,690.60 points.