Mumbai, Jan 24 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading 198.74 points or 0.93 percent down in the pre-noon trade Friday.

Selling pressure was seen in the banking index (bankex) and in the capital goods, metal, consumer durables, auto and healthcare sectors.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 21,289.15 points, was trading at 21,174.92 points in the pre-noon session, down 198.74 points or 0.93 percent from the previous day's close at 21,373.66 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 21,333.66 points and a low of 21,141.55 points during the trade so far.

The S&P BSE bankex plunged by 224.74 points, capital goods index plummeted by 220.71 points, metal index dropped by 180.30 points, consumer durables index went down by 106.22 points, auto index fell by 171.77 points and healthcare index slipped by 144.94 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading 62.90 points or 0.99 percent down at 6,283.05 points.