Mumbai, Feb 20 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets, the 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex), Friday was trading 78.75 points or 0.27 percent down as oil and gas stocks dropped.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading 51.30 points or 0.58 percent down at 8,844 points.

The Sensex of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 29,446.21 points, was trading at 29,383.52 points (at 9.33 a.m.) in the early session, down 78.75 points or 0.27 percent from the previous day's close at 29,462.27 points.

The Sensex has touched a high of 29,462.09 points and a low of 29,334.23 points in the trade so far.

Good buying was observed in auto and capital goods sectors, while selling pressure was seen in oil and gas and banking sectors.

The S&P auto index increased by 78.46 points and capital goods index moved up by 46.89 points. However, oil and gas index dropped by 88.87 points and bankex fell by 85.18 points.