Sensex down 142 points; auto stocks tank

Mumbai, March 26 : A benchmark index of Indian equities markets, the 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex), on Thursday was trading 141.89 points or 0.50 percent down as auto stocks tanked.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also trading 36.75 points or 0.43 percent down at 8,494.05 points.

The Sensex of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 27,937.62 points, was trading at 27,969.94 points (at 9.18 a.m.) in the early session, down 141.89 points or 0.50 percent from the previous day's close at 28,111.83 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 27,997.14 points and a low of 27,896.80 points in the trade so far.

Heavy selling pressure was seen in auto, banking and healthcare sectors, while marginal good buying was observed in oil and gas sector.