Mumbai, Jun 24 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading at 0.81 percent down during the pre-noon session Monday.

Almost all the sectors were trading in red. It was led by sectors like, capital goods, consumer durables, public sector undertakings (PSU), auto and banking index (bankex). Only metal sector showed marginal upward movement.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,714.06 points, was trading at 18,622.38 points in the pre-noon session, down 151.86 points or 0.81 percent from its previous day's close at 18,774.24 points.

Sensex touched a high of 18,714.06 points and a low of 18,582.55 points in pre-noon trade.

The S&P BSE capital goods index plunged 188.09 points, consumer durables dipped 181.91 points, PSU dropped by 112.71 points, auto index slipped by 148.45 points, and bankex was down by 174.74 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was trading down at 1.02 percent or 57.70 points up at 5,609.95 points.