Mumbai, July 18 - A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading 2 points down in the afternoon session Wednesday, led by selling pressure in automobile, consumer durables and oil and gas stocks.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,113.37 points, was ruling at 17,102.64 points, down 0.02 percent or 2.66 points from its previous day's close at 17,105.30 points.

The wider 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was ruling 0.04 percent higher at 5,195 points.

The major Sensex losers were: Tata Motors, down 1.68 percent at Rs. 222.10; NTPC, down 1.11 percent at Rs. 156.50; BHEL, down 0.99 percent at Rs. 224; Hero MotoCorp, down 0.97 percent at Rs. 2,078.40; Mahindra & Mahindra, down 0.92 percent at Rs. 702.20.

The major Sensex gainers were: Tata Power, up 2.51 percent at Rs. 98.20; Bajaj Auto, up 1.79 percent at Rs. 1,473; Coal India, up 1.31 percent at Rs. 358.90; Sterlite Inds, up 1.24 percent at Rs. 102.15; and Wipro, up 1.09 percent at Rs. 366.30. (IANS)