Mumbai, Dec 17 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Wednesday was trading 101.55 points or 0.38 percent down as banking stocks tanked.

Heavy selling pressure was seen in banking, consumer durables, auto, capital goods, healthcare and metal sectors, while marginal good buying was seen in IT sector.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 26,724.01 points, was trading at 26,679.89 points (at 09.33 a.m.) in the early session, down 101.55 points or 0.38 percent from the previous day's close at 26,781.44 points.

The Sensex has touched a high of 26,834.43 points and a low of 26,679.84 points in the trade so far.

The S&P bankex plunged by 287.14 points, consumer durables index fell by 192.58 points, auto index dropped by 165.64 points, capital goods index went down by 143.95 points, healthcare index plummeted by 166.83 points and metal index slipped by 34.70 points. However, IT index gained by 35.18 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading 49.35 points or 0.61 percent down at 8,018.25 points.