Mumbai, Aug 26 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading in the red around 1.00 p.m. Tuesday - down 42.16 points or 0.16 percent down as capital goods, oil and gas and bank stocks plunged.

Healthy buying was observed in healthcare, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) and information technology (IT) sectors.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 26,349.87 points, was trading at 26,394.86 points (at 1.00 p.m.), down 42.16 points or 0.16 percent from the previous day's close at 26,437.02 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 26,481.97 points and a low of 26,331.83 points in the intra-trade.

The S&P BSE capital goods index was down 229.61 points, oil and gas index was 135.42 points, bank index was lower by 119.07 points, power index declined by 41.71 points and automobile index slipped by 36.98 points.

However, the BSE healthcare index gained 105.05 points, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) index moved up by 68.45 points, information technology (IT) index rose 50.63 points, technology, entertainment and media (TECk) up 17.51 points and metal index went higher by 14.01.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading flat. It was trading 0.36 percent or 28.30 points down at 7,878 points.