Mumbai, Aug 20 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Wednesday was trading 62.54 points or 0.24 percent down as oil and gas stocks dipped.

Selling pressure was seen in oil and gas, auto and capital goods sectors, while good buying was observed in healthcare sector.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 26,496.29 points, was trading at 26,358.13 points (at 02.31 p.m.) in the afternoon session, down 62.54 points or 0.24 percent from the previous day's close at 26,420.67 points.

The Sensex has touched a high of 26,504.52 points and a low of 26,302.14 points in the trade so far.

The S&P BSE oil and gas index dropped by 104.21 points, auto index fell by 69 points and capital goods went down by 45.58 points.

However, healthcare index surged by 384.09 points. The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading 15.85 points or 0.20 percent down at 7,881.65 points.