Mumbai, Sep 25 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Thursday was trading 91.18 points or 0.34 percent down as banking stocks fell.

Good buying was observed in IT and healthcare sectors; while selling pressure was seen in banking, oil and gas, metal and auto sectors.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 26,808.66 points, was trading at 26,653.51 points (at 11.44 a.m.) in the pre-noon session, down 91.18 points or 0.34 percent from the previous day's close at 26,744.69 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 26,814.20 points and a low of 26,568.24 points in the trade so far.

The S&P IT index surged by 117.77 points and healthcare index gained by 111.43 points.

However, bankex plunged by 209.72 points, oil and gas index dropped by 133.37 points, metal index 160.05 points and auto index slipped by 106.37 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading 26.65 points or 0.33 percent down at 7,975.75 points.