Mumbai, Sep 4 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets closed Thursday trade in the red as metal and capital goods stocks dipped.

This is the first time in five trading sessions that the Sensex has made losses. In four out of five consecutive sessions when Sensex made gains, the benchmark index touched new highs.

Heavy selling pressure was observed in stocks of metal, capital goods, realty, bank, and oil and gas. However, healthy buying was sustained in healthcare, automobile and fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sectors.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 27,164.95 points, closed the day's trade at 27,084.72 points (provisiaonl), down 55.22 points or 0.20 percent from the previous day's close at 27,139.94 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 27,169.12 points and a low of 26,972.39 points in the intra-trade.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also was trading in the red at 18.50 points or 0.23 percent down at 8,096.10 points.

The S&P BSE metal index lost 177.74 points, capital goods index was lower by 152.10 points, realty index was down 78.60, bank index dipped 75.38 points and oil and gas stocks fell 73.28 points.

However, healthcare index was up 67.46 points, automobile index was higher by 49.28 points and FMCG index gained by 27.32 points.