Mumbai, March 28 - A benchmark index for Indian equities was ruling in the negative in afternoon trade Wednesday amid range-bound volatility. Consumer durables, realty and banking stocks were fared the worst.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,234.48 points, was ruling at 17,169.26 points around 1.15 p. m., down 88.1 points or 0.51 percent compared to its previous close at 17,257.36 points.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also was trading lower at 5,217.2 points, down 25.95 points or 0.49 percent from its previous close.

Broader markets were in the negative too with the BSE 500 index trading 0.53 percent down. The BSE midcap index was ruling 0.41 percent lower, while the BSE small cap index was down 0.64 percent.

Healthcare and FMCG stocks saw some gains. The market breadth was negative with 930 stocks advancing, 1,776 on the decline and 114 remaining unchanged.

Asian markets saw some profit booking after the gains in the previous session.

The Japanese Nikkei index closed 0.71 percent down at 10,182.57 points.

Hong Kong's index was also ruling 1.12 percent lower at 20,811.27 points, while the Chinese Shanghai Composite index ended 2.65 percent down at 2,284.88 points. (IANS)