Sensex sheds 36 points in pre-noon trade

Mumbai, July 8 (IANS) A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading 35.74 points or 0.14 percent down in the pre-noon session, after hitting a new high of 26,190.44 points in the early session Tuesday.

Selling pressure was observed in metal, auto and oil and gas sectors, while good buying was seen in healthcare sector.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 26,166.92 points, was trading at 26,064.34 points (at 11.57 a.m.) in the pre-noon session, down 35.74 points or 0.14 percent from the previous day's close at 26,100.08 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 26,190.44 points and a low of 25,982.97 points in the trade.

The S&P BSE healthcare index scored 120.03 points, while metal index plunged by 171.77 points, auto index dropped by 132.24 points and oil and gas index slipped by 89.04 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was trading 16.15 points or 0.21 percent down at 7,771 points.