Mumbai, March 27 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets, the 30-scrip BSE Sensitive Index (Sensex), was down 118.98 points or 0.43 percent during the afternoon trade session on Friday.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading in the red during the afternoon trade session.

It was down 41.20 points or 0.49 percent at 8,300.95 points.

The S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Sensex, which opened at 27,649.78 points, was trading at 27,338.60 points (1.09 p.m.), down 118.98 points or 0.43 percent from the previous day's close at 27,457.58 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 27,694.41 points and a low of 27,248.45 points in the intra-day trade so far.

Good buying was observed in IT sector, while selling pressure was seen in healthcare, auto, oil and gas, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) and banking sectors.

The S&P BSE healthcare index dropped by 241.48 points, auto index fell by 121.10 points, oil and gas index went down by 170.70 points, FMCG index slipped by 100.06 points and bankex slid by 71.99 points.