The key index of the Indian equities markets was ruling in the red Wednesday, as investors chose to book profits in metal, realty, infrastructure and banking stocks. It was ruling 359 points below the last closing figure, a little before noon.

Around 11.30 a.m., the 30-scrip index of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), the Sensex, which opened lower at 14,039.58 points, was at 13,810.58 points - 359.87 points or 2.54% lower than Tuesday's closing figure.

Around the same time, the S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE), too, was ruling in the red at 4,096.8 points, down by 2.51%. 

Broader market indices came under greater selling pressure, with the BSE midcap index trading 3.2 percent lower and the BSE smallcap index moving down 3.23%. 

Of the 13 sectoral indices on the BSE, banking, realty and metal scrips were the hardest hit, while auto stocks were the only ones where people were interested.

The market breadth was negative with 367 stocks advancing compared to 1,774 declining. Fifty-three remained unchanged.

Among the very few gainers on the Sensex at this time were ACC, up 2.49% at Rs.781.45; Grasim, up 1.55% at Rs.2,454; Tata Motors, up 1.48% at Rs.284; and Maruti Suzuki, up 0.65% at Rs.1,087. 

The losers included Tata Steel, down 6.56% at Rs.372; Sterlite, down 6.46% at Rs.557.50; ICICI Bank, down 6.02% at Rs.653.15; and DLF, down 5.99% at Rs.289.65.