Mumbai, April 23 (IANS): A benchmark index of the Indian equities markets, the 30-scrip BSE Sensitive Index (Sensex), was trading 194.91 points or 0.70 percent down during afternoon session on Thursday.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading 39.05 points or 0.46 percent down at 8,390.65 points.

The Sensex of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 27,977.27 points, was trading at 27,695.22 points (at 1.02 p.m.), down 194.91 points or 0.70 percent from the previous day's close at 27,890.13 points.

The Sensex had touched a high of 28,087.78 points and a low of 27,686 points in the intra-day trade so far.

Good buying was observed in metal sector; while selling pressure was seen in capital goods, auto and healthcare sectors.

The BSE S&P capital goods sector plunged by 177.82 points, auto sector dropped by 136.89 points and healthcare sector slipped by 132.75 points. However, metal sector gained by 127.30 points.