Mumbai, Jan 7 - A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading flat at 99.96 points or 0.48 percent down in the pre-noon trade Tuesday.

Selling pressure was seen in banking index (bankex), metal and oil and gas sectors. However, marginal good buying was seen in capital goods sector.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 20,845.77 points, was trading at 20,687.34 points in the pre-noon session, down 99.96 points or 0.48 percent from previous day's close at 20,787.30 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 20,890.48 points and a low of 20,637.18 points during the trade so far.

The S&P BSE bankex plunged 127.24 points, metal index dipped by 126.02 points and oil and gas index plummeted by 97.01 points. However, capital goods index gained 97.18 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was trading down by 34.10 points or 0.55 percent at 6,157.35 points.