Mumbai, Sep 3 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading down by 129.37 points or 0.69 percent during pre-noon trade Tuesday.

Good buying was seen in auto and public sector undertaking (PSU) sectors, while selling pressure was observed in banking index (bankex) and IT sectors.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 19,002.77 points, was trading at 18,756.76 points in the pre-noon session, down 129.37 points or 0.69 percent from the previous day's close at 18,886.13 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 19,007.31 points and a low of 18,684.47 points during the trade so far.

The S&P BSE auto index gained 67.12 points and PSU index inched up by 34.91 points, while bankex dropped by 152.32 points and IT index slid by 31.76 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading 54.85 points or 0.99 percent down at 5,495.90 points.