Mumbai, Oct 4 : A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading flat at 22.57 points or 0.11 percent down in the morning trade Friday.

Good buying was observed in auto, IT and consumer durables sectors, while banking index (bankex), metal and capital goods sectors were seen to be under selling pressure.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 19,870 points, was trading at 19,879.50 points in the early session, down 22.57 points or 0.11 percent from previous day's close at
19,902.07 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 20,034.76 points and a low of 19,853.24 points during the trade so far.

The S&P BSE auto index increased by 188.40 points, IT index inched up by 54.39 points and consumer durables index moved up by 44.64 points. However, bankex dropped by 70.95 points, metal index slipped by 64.82 points and capital goods index went down by 56.12 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading flat at 23.85 points or 0.40 percent down at 5,885.85 points.(IANS)