Sensex down 60 points, auto stocks fall

A benchmark index of Indian equities markets ended Monday's trade flat - 60 points down, as automobile, capital goods and fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) stocks dipped.

Markets retreated after touching record highs last week.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 22,717.59 points, closed trading at 22,628.89 points (provisional), down 56.46 points or 0.25 percent from the previous day's close at 22,688.07 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 22,721.36 points and a low of 22,597.19 points in trade.

Heavy selling pressure was in automobile, capital goods and metal stocks, while healthy buying support sustained healthcare, banks and realty scrips.

The automobile index of the BSE fell 132.47 points, followed by capital goods index which edged lower by 127.47 points and metal index was down 55.79 points.

However, the healthcare index rose 175.23 points, while the bank index was up 53.94 points and realty  index increased by 8.46 points.

The wider 50-scrip S&P Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) too ended in the red. It closed 19.50 points or 0.29 percent up at 6,763.25 points.