Sensex 55 points down as consumer durables plummet

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A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading 55.02 points lower in the 12.30 p.m. trade after heavy selling in consumer durables, banks and capital goods stocks.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,690.99 points, was ruling at 18,620.16 points, down 55.02 points or 0.29 percent from its previous day's close at 18,675.18 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 18,690.99 points and a low of 18,596.65 points in the intra-day trade.

The BSE midcap index was down 7.87 points. However, smallcap index was up 34.08 points.

On the sectoral front, the BSE consumer durables index was down 62.90 points followed by the banks, down 61.24 points and capital goods, down 50.96 points.

The wider 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also down 17.05 points or 0.30 percent, ruling at 5,659.00 points.

Among other Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei was up 0.51 percent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng was trading at 0.01 percent up. However, Shanghai's composite index was at 0.30 percent lower.