Mumbai, Jul 22 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading flat, up 74.73 points or 0.37 percent, during the pre-noon trade Monday.

Good buying was observed in the auto and banking index (bankex) while selling pressure was seen in oil and gas and capital goods.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 20,096.71 points, was trading at 20224.58 points in the pre-noon session, up 74.73 points or 0.37 percent from last Friday's close at 20,149.85 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 20,236.60 points and a low of 20,065.69 points in the trade so far.

The S&P BSE auto index surged by 120.45 points and the bankex increased by 114.23 points. However, the oil and gas index dipped by 115.05 points and the capital goods index by 15.63 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading flat at 24.85 points or 0.41 percent up at 6,054.05 points.