Mumbai, Aug 23 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading flat -- up 59.20 points or 0.32 percent during pre-noon trade Friday.

Good buying was observed in consumer durables, auto, banking index (bankex) and capital goods sectors; while selling pressure was observed in metal and fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sectors.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,386.53 points, was trading at 18,372.14 points in the pre-noon session, up 59.20 points or 0.32 percent from the previous day's close at 18,312.94 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 18,434.18 points and a low of 18,210.75 points during trade so far.

The S&P BSE consumer durables index surged 137.98 points, auto index increased by 114.14 points, bankex went up by 107.08 points and capital goods index moved up by 80.57 points. However, metal index dropped by 32.02 points and FMCG index went down by 23.83 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading flat at 16.40 points or 0.30 percent up at 5,424.85 points.