Mumbai, March 25 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading flat at 42.01 points or 0.19 percent down during the pre-noon session Tuesday.

Good buying was observed in the consumer durables and capital goods sectors while heavy selling pressure was seen in oil and gas sector.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 21,948.31 points, was trading at 22,013.47 points in the pre-noon session, down 42.01 points or 0.19 percent from the previous day's close at 22,055.48 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 22,047.99 points and a low of 21,916.87 points during the trade so far.

The S&P BSE consumer durables sector went up by 58.85 points and capital goods sector inched up by 54.38 points. However, oil and gas index tanked by 161.82 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also was also trading flat at 4.40 points or 0.07 percent down at 6,579.10 points.