Mumbai, Aug 6 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets plunged 242.81 points or 1.27 percent during pre-noon trade Tuesday as the rupee hit a record low of 61.51 against a dollar.

All the sectors were trading in red led by banking index (bankex), consumer durables, metal, capital goods and healthcare.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 19,127.10 points, was trading at 18,939.45 points in the pre-noon session, down 242.81 points or 1.27 percent from the previous day's close at 19,182.26 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 19,131.92 points and a low of 18,931.68 points during trade so far.

The S&P BSE bankex tanked 367.34 points, consumer durables index plunged 294.56 points, metal index dropped 180.89 points, capital goods index dipped 169.84 points and healthcare index slipped 110.05 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was trading 85.10 points or 1.50 percent down at 5,600.30 points.