Mumbai, Aug 20 (IANS): After a day of substantial losses, a benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading flat down 43.43 points or 0.24 percent during pre-noon trade Tuesday.

Good buying was observed in metal and fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sectors; while selling pressure was seen in auto, consumer durables, IT and healthcare sectors.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,142.83 points, was trading at 18,264.09 points in the pre-noon session, down 43.43 points or 0.24 percent from the previous day's close at 18,307.52 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 18,291 points and a low of 17,970.98 points during trade so far.

The S&P BSE metal index increased by 104.39 points and FMCG index went up by 69.72 points. However, auto index dipped by 206.99 points, consumer durables index dropped by 112.21 points, IT index slipped by 91.89 points and healthcare index went down by 98.72 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading 18.40 points or 0.34 percent down at 5,396.35 points.