Mumbai, Feb 23 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets, the 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex), was Monday trading 182.14 points, or 0.62 percent, down in the afternoon session as consumer durables stocks plummeted.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading 52.90 points or 0.60 percent down at 8,780.70 points.

The Sensex of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 29,316.58 points, was trading at 29,049.27 points (at 2.23 p.m.) in the afternoon session, down 182.14 points or 0.62 percent from the previous day's close at 29,231.41 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 29,362.96 points and a low of 29,027.73 points in the trade so far.

Heavy selling pressure was seen in consumer durables, banking, oil and gas, auto, healthcare and fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sectors.

Good buying was observed in the capital goods sector.

The S&P consumer durables index plunged by 212.74 points, bankex dropped by 135.63 points, oil and gas index slid by 126.76 points, auto index fell by 125.17 points, healthcare index slipped by 113.95 points and FMCG index went down by 100.77 points.

The capital goods index, however, gained by 68.13 points.