Sensex tanks by over 200 points; metal stocks dip

Mumbai, July 25 (IANS) A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Friday was trading 201.01 points or 0.77 percent down as metal and capital goods sectors tanked.

Selling pressure was seen in metal, capital goods, oil and gas, banking, consumer durables, auto and IT sectors, while good buying was observed in healthcare sector.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 26,257.14 points, was trading at 26,070.84 points (at 01.50 p.m.) in the afternoon session, down 201.01 points or 0.77 percent from the previous day's close at 26,271.85 points.

The Sensex has touched a high of 26,300.17 points and a low of 26,007.31 points in the trade so far.

Earlier in the day, Sensex hit a record high of 26,300.17 points for the second consecutive day, surpassing its earlier peak of 26,292.66 points it hit Thursday.

The S&P BSE metal index tanked by 338.86 points, capital goods index went down by 262.70 points, oil and gas index dipped by 240.07 points, bankex fell by 210.24 points, consumer durables index dropped by 169.98 points, auto index slid by 144.81 points and IT index slipped by 104.23 points.

However, healthcare index gained by 112.05 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading 59.50 points or 0.76 percent down at 7,771.10 points.