Mumbai, Jul 31 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading 154.97 points or 0.80 percent down during the pre-noon trade Wednesday.

Some positive buying was observed technology, media and entertainment (TECK) and IT sectors, while the banking index tanked substantially followed by oil and gas, public sector undertakings (PSU) and fast moving consumer goods (FMCG).

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 19,304.07 points, was trading at 19,193.37 points in the pre-noon session, down 154.97 points or 0.80 percent from the previous day's close at 19,348.34 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 19,325.39 points and a low of 19,126.82 points in the trade so far.

The S&P BSE TECK index increased 72 points and the IT index moved up by 86.85 points. However, the bankex tanked 305.46 points, oil and gas plunged 141.89 points, PSU dropped by 116.55 points and FMCG slipped by 196.09 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was trading at 58.40 points or 1.01 percent down at 5,696.65 points.