Mumbai, March 14 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets tanked 149.80 points or 0.69 percent in the pre-noon trade Friday.

Huge selling pressure was seen in banking, capital goods and fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sectors, while marginal good buying trend was observed in healthcare sector.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 21,648.05 points, was trading at 21,624.81 points in the pre-noon session, down 149.80 points or 0.69 percent from the previous day's close at 21,774.61 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 21,714.44 points and a low of 21,608.37 points during the trade so far.

The S&P BSE bankex tanked 253.67 points, capital goods index plummeted by 135.72 points, and FMCG index dropped by 45.01 points. However, healthcare index gained 67 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also slumped by 37.90 points or 0.58 percent down and was trading at 6,455.20 points.