Mumbai, Aug 23 - A benchmark index for Indian equities Monday was choppy amid negative cues from other Asian markets.

Weighing the markets down were FMCG stocks, while consumer durables, metal and PSU scrips were under selling pressure.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,400.33 points, was at 18,432.48 points, 30.66 points or 0.17 percent up from its previous close at 18,401.82 points.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was ruling 0.18 percent higher at 5,540.85 points.

Broader markets indices were, however, performing better, with the BSE midcap index 0.69 percent up and the BSE smallcap index trading 1.07 percent higher.

The market breadth was tilted towards the positive with 1,829 scrips advancing, compared to 972 stocks declining and 84 remaining unchanged.

Other major Asian bourses were in the red as trading progressed cautiously after reports of a economic recovery slowing pace in the US and Europe.

The Japanese Nikkei closed 0.68 percent lower at 9,116.69 points while Hong Kong's Hang Seng was ruling 0.36 percent down at 20,905.46 points.

The Chinese Shanghai Composite index was trading 0.14 percent down at 2,638.61 points.  (IANS)