Mumbai, Sep 10 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was Wednesday trading 143.57 points or 0.53 percent down as oil and gas stocks dropped.

Heavy selling pressure was seen in oil and gas, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), capital goods and IT sectors, while marginal good buying was observed in healthcare sector.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 27,230.94 points, was trading at 27,121.75 points (at 1.01 p.m.) in the afternoon session, down 143.57 points or 0.53 percent from the previous day's close at 27,265.32 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 27,251.44 points and a low of 27,107.42 points in the trade so far.

The S&P BSE oil and gas index slid by 108.30 points, FMCG index dropped by 92.48 points, capital goods index fell by 83.33 points and IT index slipped by 81.95 points. However, healthcare index move up by 16.56 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also was trading 43.60 points or 0.53 percent down at 8,109.35 points.