Mumbai, Feb 18 - A benchmark index for Indian equities markets Friday was ruling 13 points lower, having slipped from its highs in the morning session.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,564.08 points, was ruling at 18,440.86 points, down 65.96 points or 0.36 percent from its previous close at 18,506.82 points.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange moved down 0.41 percent at 5,523.85 points.

Broader markets were tardy, with the BSE midcap index trading 0.43 percent lower and the BSE small cap index ruling 0.65 percent down.

IT and FMCG stocks were leading, while auto and realty scrips were among losers.

The market breadth was negative, with 1,064 stocks advancing compared to 1,541 scrips on the decline. A total of 101 stocks remained unchanged.

Among gainers on the 30-scrip Sensex were Hindustan Unilever, Wipro, HDFC Bank and BHEL, while the losers on the benchmark index included Reliance Infra, Reliance Communications, Tata Motors and Jaiprakash Associates.

Asian markets were mixed with the political tensions in the middle east continuing to weigh down traders.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng was ruling 1.12 percent higher at 23,562.5 points, while a benchmark of Chinese markets, Shanghai Composite index, shed 0.99 percent to rule at 2,898.07 points.

The Japanese Nikkei ended flat at 10,842.8 points. (IANS)