Mumbai, July 1 (IANS) A benchmark index for Indian equities markets slipped in Friday noon trade amid some profit booking.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,974.96 points, was ruling at 18,784.95 points, down 60.92 points or 0.32 percent from its previous close at 18,845.87 points.

The index has rallied for six consecutive sessions.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was also trading in the green at 5,624.05 points, down 0.41 percent.

Broader markets held on to slender gains with the BSE midcap index ruling 0.47 percent higher and the BSE smallcap index up 0.51 percent.

The market breadth was positive, with 1,557 stocks advancing, 1,088 on the decline and 116 remaining unchanged.

Among gainers on the Sensex were DLF, Hindalco, ONGC and RCom, while the losers on the benchmark were Bharti Airtel, RIL, Maruti Suzuki and Hindustan Unilever.

In Asia, some major markets like the Chinese and Hong Kong exchanges were closed on account of a holiday.

The Nikkei of the Japanese stock exchange closed 0.53 percent up at 9,868.07 points.