Mumbai, Jan 6 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Tuesday plunged 422.15 points or 1.52 percent as auto stocks plummeted.

All the sectors were trading in red. Heavy selling pressure was seen in auto, banking, capital goods, healthcare, IT, metal, oil and gas and consumer durables sectors.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 27,694.23 points, was trading at 27,420.17 points (at 09.19 a.m.) in the early session, down 422.15 points or 1.52 percent from the previous day's close at 27,842.32 points.

The Sensex has touched a high of 27,698.93 points and a low of 27,330.47 points in the trade so far.

The S&P auto index plunged by 328.72 points, bankex fell by 286.49 points, capital goods index dropped by 277.29 points, healthcare index slipped by 211.26 points, IT index dropped by 171.78 points, metal index went down by 157.55 points, oil and gas index dipped by 133.08 points and consumer durables index slid by 112.32 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading 111.55 points or 1.33 percent down at 8,266.85 points.