Sensex trades over 45 points down; metal stocks rise (Third Lead)

A benchmark index of Indian equities markets, the 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex), was trading more than 45 points down in the late-afternoon session, even while metals and consumer durables stocks rose.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading in the red during the late-afternoon session. It was down 11.65 points or 0.13 percent at 8,766.65 points.

The Sensex of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 28,889.27 points, was trading at 28,838.90 points (at 2.30 p.m.) in the late-afternoon session, down 46.31 points or 0.16 percent from the previous day's close at 28,885.21 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 28,899.19 points and a low of 28,756.75 points in the intra-day trade so far.

Healthy buying was observed in metals, consumer durables, automobile, oil and gas and realty sectors. However, banking, capital goods and healthcare stocks came under selling pressure.

The S&P BSE metal index was higher by 56.94 points, followed by consumer durables index which gained 52.03 points, automobile index rose 49.49 points, oil and gas index gained 45.94 points and realty index rose 17.61 points.

However, banking index was down 74.26 points, capital goods index was lower by 72.81 points and healthcare index fell by 48.92 points.