Mumbai, Aug 8 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading 58 points or 0.31 percent up during pre-noon trade Thursday.

Good buying was seen in auto and metal sectors, while selling pressure was observed in healthcare and oil and gas sectors.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,687.30 points, was trading at 18,722.71 points in the pre-noon session, up 57.83 points or 0.31 percent from the previous day's close at 18,664.88 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 18,748.55 points and a low of 18,621.67 points during trade so far.

The S&P BSE auto index increased by 134.83 points and metal index went up by 105.08 points; while healthcare index dropped by 130.38 points and oil and gas index slipped by 44.93 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading flat at 27.25 points or 0.49 percent up at 5,546.35 points.