Mumbai, Jan 27 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets plunged 337.63 points or 1.60 percent in the pre-noon trade Monday.

All the sectors were trading in the red. Substantial selling pressure was seen in the banking index (bankex), capital goods, metal, auto and oil and gas sectors.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 20,899.03 points, was trading at 20,795.93 points in the pre-noon session, down 337.63 points or 1.60 percent from the previous day's close at 21,133.56 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 20,899.03 points and a low of 20,784.69 points during the trade so far.

The S&P BSE bankex plunged by 417.27 points, capital goods index plummeted by 250.79 points, metal index dropped by 287.20 points, oil and gas index slipped by 106.91 points and auto index slid by 317.53 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading 102.20 points or 1.63 percent down at 6,164 points.

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