Mumbai, March 21 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading flat at 37.94 points or 0.17 percent up during the pre-noon session Friday.

Good buying was observed in the metal, banking and IT sectors, while selling pressure was seen in the oil and gas sector.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 21,823.52 points, was trading at 21,778.03 points in the pre-noon session, up 37.94 points or 0.17 percent from the previous day's close at 21,740.09 points. The Sensex touched a high of 21,870.11 points and a low of 21,738.38 points during the trade so far.

The S&P BSE metal index gained 182.12 points, the bankex went up by 90.34 points and the IT index moved up by 79.59 points. However, the oil and gas index went down by 83.38 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading flat at 22.50 points or 0.35 percent up at 6,505.60 points.