MUMBAI: Indian equities markets were subdued on Thursday as heavy selling pressure was witnessed in banking, healthcare and oil and gas stocks.

The key indices provisionally closed with losses of around half a pct each.

The wider 51-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) slipped by 46.05 points or 0.51 pct to 8,899.75 points.

The barometer 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 29,117.38 points, provisionally closed at 28,839.79 points (at 3.30 p.m.) -- down 144.70 points or 0.50 pct from the previous close at 28,984.49 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 29,145.62 points and a low of 28,784.31 points during the intra-day trade. 

The BSE market breadth was skewed in favour of the bears -- with 1,911 declines and 974 advances.

On Wednesday, positive domestic macro-economic data, firm global cues and upbeat quarterly automobile sales results lifted the benchmark indices.

The NSE Nifty rose by 66.20 points or 0.75 pct to close at 8,945.80 points. The BSE Sensex was up by 241.17 points or 0.84 pct at 28,984.49 points.

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