Mumbai, Nov 13 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Thursday closed trade provisionally 68.26 points, or 0.24 percent, down as oil and gas, bank and metal stocks declined.

However, healthy buying was observed in information technology (IT), healthcare and technology, entertainment and media (TECK) stocks.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 28,048.56 points, closed trade at 27,940.64 points (provisionally), down 68.26 points or 0.24 percent from the previous day's close at 28,008.90 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 28,098.74 points and a low of 27,822.70 points in the intra-trade.

The S&P oil and gas index lost 177.52 points, bank index moved down by 142.30 points and metal index dropped 85.70 points. However, IT index rose by 106.11 points, healthcare index was up 83.15 points and TECK index gained 44.02 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also closed in red. It was down 25.45 points or 0.30 percent at 8,357.85 points.