Mumbai, Jan 7 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Wednesday was trading 88.93 points or 0.33 percent down as banking stocks slumped.

Heavy selling pressure was seen in banking, capital goods and auto sectors, while marginal goods buying was seen in consumer durables sector.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 26,983.43 points, was trading at 26,898.53 points (at 09.18 a.m.) in the early session, down 88.93 points or 0.33 percent from the previous day's close at 26,987.46 points.

The Sensex has touched a high of 26,996.10 points and a low of 26,894.36 points in the trade so far.

The S&P bankex plunged by 142.03 points, capital goods index dropped by 123.70 points and auto index went down by 77.70 points. However, consumer durables index moved up by 38.36 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading 0.95 points or 0.01 percent down at 8,126.40 points.