Mumbai, April 15 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets, the 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex), was trading 77.67 points or 0.27 percent down in the afternoon session on Wednesday as auto stocks dipped.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also was trading in the red -- down 19.75 points or 0.22 percent at 8,814.25 points.

The Sensex of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 29,087.25 points, was trading at 28,966.77 points (at 1.24 p.m.) in the afternoon session -- down 77.67 points or 0.27 percent from the previous day's close at 29,044.44 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 29,094.61 points and a low of 28,918.74 points in the intra-day trade so far.

Good buying was observed in banking sector, while selling pressure was seen in auto and information technology (IT) sectors.

The BSE S&P bankex moved up by 236.34 points, while auto index dropped 176.73 points and IT index slipped by 124.99 points.