Mumbai, March 20 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets, the 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex), on Friday was trading 137.79 points or 0.48 percent down as auto stocks fell.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading 41.60 points or 0.48 percent down at 8,593.05 points.

The Sensex of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 28,465.44 points, was trading at 28,331.88 points (at 12.05 p.m.) in the afternoon session, down 137.79 points or 0.48 percent from the previous day's close at 28,469.67 points.

The Sensex has touched a high of 28,484.36 points and a low of 28,307.97 points in the trade so far.

Good buying spree was observed in IT sector, while heavy selling pressure was seen in auto, banking, consumer durables and healthcare sectors.

The S&P BSE IT index moved up by 63.87 points, while auto index fell by 166.87 points, bankex plunged by 154.44 points, consumer durables index dropped by 141.15 points and healthcare index slipped by 101.77 points.