Sensex sheds 235 points during pre-noon trade

A benchmark index of Indian equities markets fell 235.23 points or 1.19 percent down in the morning trade Monday.

Selling pressure was observed in banking index (bankex), metal, public sector undertakings (PSU), capital goods and auto sectors; while some positive buying was seen in IT sector.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 19,643.89 points, was trading at 19,492.04 points in the pre-noon session, down 235.23 points or 1.19 percent from last Friday's close at 19,727.27 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 19,651.31 points and a low of 19,474.86 points during the trade so far. The S&P BSE bankex tanked 251.33 points, metal index slipped 214.60 points, PSU index dropped 131.52 points, capital goods index 167.64 points and auto index went down by 156.51 points. However, IT index gained marginally by 47.57 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading down by 69.90 points or 1.20 percent down at 5,763.30 points.