Mumbai, Jun 17 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading flat at 0.17 percent during the pre-noon session Monday.

Selling pressure was seen in the banking index (bankex), metals, public sector units (PSUs) and fast moving consumer goods (FMCG); while healthcare and consumer durables stocks inched up by some points.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 19,249.90 points, was trading at 19,145.93 points in the pre-noon session, flat at 32 points or 0.17 percent from its Friday's close at 19,177.93 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 19,257.41 points and a low of 19,084.68 points in pre-noon trade.

The S&P BSE bankex plunged 122.99 points, the metals index dipped by 77.36 points, the PSU index slid by 51.07 points and the FMCG dropped up 45.10 points. The healthcare index inched up by 42.11 points and the consumer durables index went up 23.75 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was trading flat at 0.03 percent or 1.60 points down at 5,806.80 points.