Mumbai, April 9 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading up 50.34 points in the pre-afternoon trade session Wednesday, as healthcare and metal stocks gained.

healthy buying was observed in healthcare, metal and bank stocks, while selling pressure was seen in information technology (IT), technology, entertainment and media (TECK) and fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) scrips.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 22,389.21 points, was trading at 22,393.79 points in the pre-noon session, up 50.34 points or 0.23 percent from the previous day's close at 22,343.45 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 22,479.07 points and a low of 22,389.21 points intra-trade.

In the day's trade, the S&P BSE healthcare index zoomed by 226.78 points, followed by metal index which climbed 191.55 points and bank index which was up 98.50 points.

However, IT index tanked by 128.61 points, TECK index was down 59.62 points and FMCG index slipped by 20.19 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) gained by 15.90 points or 0.24 percent and was trading at 6,710.95 points.