A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading 42.61 points or 0.18 percent down Thursday as metal stocks dipped.
Selling pressure was seen in metal, capital goods and IT sectors, while marginal good buying was observed in consumer durables sector.
The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 23,809.42 points, was trading at 23,772.51 points in the pre-noon session, down 42.61 points or 0.18 percent from the previous day's close at 23,815.12 points.
The Sensex touched a high of 23,971.78 points and a low of 23,763.10 points in trade.
The S&P BSE consumer durables index gained 51.14 points, while metal index slipped by 140.65 points, capital goods index dropped by 87.59 points and IT index went down by 56.96 points.
The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading flat at 14.90 points or 0.21 percent down at 7,093.85 points.
