New Delhi, Feb - A benchmark index of the Indian equities market was trading flat in Wednesday's forenoon trade session, as metal and automobile stocks declined.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchnage ( BSE) which opened at 20,643.85 points was trading at 20,672.16 points around 11.30 a. m., up 37.95 points or 0.18 percent from its previous close of 20,634.21 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 20,694.42 points and a low of 20,629.56 points in the day's trade so far.

The S&P BSE metal index was down 95.38 points, followed by automobile index which was lower by 26.92 points, and FMCG index which was down 3.06 points.

However, capital goods index was up 56.48 points, IT index edged higher by 52.47 points and oil and gas index was up 43.30 points.

The wider 50-scrip NIFTY of the national stock exchange (NSE) wasalsotrading flat-- up nine points or 0.15 percent at 6,136.10 points. (IANS)