Mumbai, April 3 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets touched a record high of 22,620.65 points for the ninth consecutive day Thursday, surpassing the high of 22,592.10 points it touched Wednesday.

Selling pressure was seen in banking, capital goods and oil and gas sectors, while marginal good buying was observed in metal sector.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 22,598.19 points, was trading at 22,454.39 points in the pre-noon session, down 97.10 points or 0.43 percent from the previous day's close at 22,551.49 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 22,620.65 points and a low of 22,447.74 points in trade.

The S&P BSE bankex plummeted by 120.02 points, capital goods dropped by 130.04 points and oil and gas tanked by 119.61 points.

However, oil and gas index inched up by 70.13 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) dropped by 37.65 points or 0.56 percent and was trading at 6,714.90 points.