Mumbai, Nov 20 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities market Thursday was trading flat at 29.86 points or 0.11 percent down as auto stocks slumped.

Good buying was observed in healthcare sector, while selling pressure was seen in auto, capital goods and consumer durables sectors.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 28,100.84 points, was trading at 28,002.99 points (at 09.28 a.m.) in the early session, down 29.86 points or 0.11 percent from the previous day's close at 28,032.85 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 28,118.53 points and a low of 28,000.58 points in the trade so far.

The S&P healthcare index surged by 68.85 points; while auto index plunged by 63.99 points, capital goods index dropped by 59.63 points and consumer durables index slipped by 52.31 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading 11.65 points or 0.14 percent down at 8,370.65 points.