The Sensex bounced from a low of 4,084 touched during the mid-afteroon trades, and finally finished with a gain of 30 points at 4,125 on renewed buying support in heavyweights, PSUs and other select old and new economy stocks. The Nifty also ended in positive zone with a gain of 10 points at 1,311.
Heavyweights emerged as a major drving force behind the Sensex gains. ITC held gains through the session on strong buying support, and moved up 3% (Rs 27) at Rs 812. Reliance, too, after a steady opening, mopped up huge gains in the afternoon trades to finish with a gain of 3% (Rs 12) at Rs 383. HLL, however, ended off-gains with a loss of a per cent (Rs 3) at Rs 187.
PSU frontliners ended at higher levels. HPCL came off the day's high of Rs 409, and finished with a gain of a per cent (Rs 5) at Rs 401. BHEL on renewed buying support clocked 2% gains (Rs 7) to Rs 332. MTNL, too, gained 2% to Rs 134. SBI, however, slipped from higher levels to finish with a loss of Rs 2 at Rs 435.
Tech pivotals slumped on sustained selling pressure. Infosys at Rs 3,646 (down Rs 71 or 2%), Satyam at Rs 210 (down Rs 6 or 3%) and HCL Tech at Rs 170 (down Rs 4 or 2%) slipped from higher levels and finished in negative territory.
Other pharma, cement and auto stocks displayed mixed trends.