A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Friday was trading 77.78 points or 0.29 percent down as metal stocks plunged.

 

 Good buying was observed in the IT sector, while huge selling pressure was seen in metal, auto and banking.

 

 The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 26,429.30 points, was trading at 26,390.58 points (at 09.18 a.m.) in the early session, down 77.78 points or 0.29 percent from the previous day's close at 26,468.36 points.

 

 The Sensex touched a high of 26,462.17 points and a low of 26,378.85 points in the trade so far.

 

 The S&P IT index gained 34.37 points; while metal index plunged by 119.10 points; auto index went down by 85.09 points and bankex slipped by 78.67 points.

 

 The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading 19.80 points or 0.25 percent down at 7,892.05 points.