Sensex sheds 132 points in pre-noon trade

A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading 132.25 points or 0.66 percent down in pre-noon trade Thursday.

Selling pressure was observed in banking index (bankex), IT, consumer durables and metal stocks, while some good buying was seen in healthcare and realty stocks.

The 30-scrip S&P Sensex of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 20,046.05 points, was trading at 19,865.20 points, down 132.25 points or 0.66 percent from its previous day's close at 19,997.45 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 20,052.05 points and a low of 19,816.99 points intra-day.

The S&P BSE healthcare index moved up by 71.67 points and realty index increased by 37.40 points, while bankex declined by 189.19 points, IT index fell by 104.86 points, consumer durables index dropped by 91.54 points and metal index went down by 91.59 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was trading at 38.15 points or 0.65 percent down at 5,875 points.