Mumbai, Aug 21 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was Wednesday trading 248 points or 1.36 percent down during afternoon trade.

Almost all the stocks were trading in red. Selling pressure was observed in fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), metal, oil and gas, healthcare and IT sectors; while only consumer durables sector was trading in green.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,545.44 points, was trading at 17,998.50 points in the afternoon session, down 247.54 points or 1.36 percent from the previous day's close at 18,246.04 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 18,567.70 points and a low of 17,948.56 points during trade so far.

The S&P BSE FMCG index plunged by 174.98 points, metal index slipped by 175.53 points, oil and gas index dipped by 205.25 points, healthcare index went down by 143.72 points and IT index dropped by 81.26 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading 80.55 points or 1.49 percent down at 5,320.90 points.