Mumbai, Dec 24 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets ended flat -- down 68.32 points or 0.32 percent -- Tuesday as investors booked profits ahead of derivatives expiry later this week.

Selling pressure was seen in metal and banking index (bankex) sectors while marginal good buying was observed in capital goods sector.

The 30-scrip S&P Sensex of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 21,127.66 points, closed at 21,032.71 points, down 68.32 points or 0.32 percent from its previous day close at 21,101.03 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 21,156.92 points and a low of 21,010.65 points intra-day.

The S&P BSE metal index dropped 108.71 points and bankex slipped 55.86 points. However, capital goods index gained 67 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) closed trade at 16.10 points or 0.26 percent down at 6,268.40 points.

Major Sensex gainers were: Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, up 1.92 percent at Rs.172.40; Bajaj Auto, up 1.91 percent at Rs.1,981.35; and Dr.Reddy's Laboratories, up 0.99 percent at Rs.2,540.15.

Major Sensex losers were: Tata Power, down 3.20 percent at Rs.86.20; SSTL, down 2.31 percent at Rs.198.90; Wipro, down 2.10 percent at Rs.540.30; and Sun Pharma, down 1.73 percent at Rs.567.15.

Among the Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei closed 0.12 percent up; Hong Kong's Hang Seng was up by 1.13 percent, and China's Shanghai Composite Index was up by 0.15 percent.

In Europe, London's FTSE 100 was trading 0.36 percent up, Germany's DAX Index was up 0.94 percent and the French CAC 40 Index was up by 0.05 percent.

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