The Sensex gained 11 points to open at 5,412. After touching an intra-day high of 5,435 in early deals, the markets displayed volatility as sluggish trading in old and new economy stocks saw the index moved in a range-bound mode with occassional drift into the green till early noon deals.
The market plunged deep into the red in mid-afternoon trades as selling across-the-board dragged the index to the day's low of 5,345.
The Sensex, however, pared losses on selective buying support towards the fag-end, and finished six points down at 5,395. The Nifty, which touched a high of 1,701 during the intra-day trades, ended weak at 1,692 - down four points.
Infosys displayed weak trends through the session, and dropped 2.19% (Rs 113) to Rs 5,045. Wipro ended off-lows with a per cent loss (Rs 11) at Rs 1,384. Satyam, however, closed up a rupee at Rs 300.
Hindalco scrip was hammered today on the back of relentless selling pressure, and the counter plunged 4% (Rs 52) to close at Rs 1,254.
Dr. Reddy's (down Rs 20 or 1.96% to Rs 987) and Ranbaxy (down Rs 16 or 1.71% to Rs 916) ended deep into the red. Cipla, however, gained 1.65% (Rs 19) to Rs 1,173.
Grasim and Gujarat Ambuja were down a per cent each at Rs 1,015 (down Rs 9) and Rs 292 (down Rs 3), respectively. L&T was down a rupee at Rs 562. ACC, however, closed up a tad at Rs 241.
While ITC was down a per cent (Rs 10) at Rs 1,067, HLL lost 1.63% (Rs 2) to Rs 148. Reliance, however, clocked a per cent gain (Rs 3) to close at Rs 513.
HPCL rose 1.76% (Rs 8) to Rs 480. While BHEL moved up 1.47% (Rs 8) to Rs 543, MTNL closed up a rupee at Rs 125. SBI, however, was down a per cent (Rs 4) at Rs 548.
Hero Honda advanced 2.55% (Rs 11) to Rs 462. While Tata Motors jumped 2.45% (Rs 10) to Rs 439, Bajaj added 1.21% (Rs 10) to Rs 875.
HDFC Bank notched up 3.92% gains (Rs 13) to Rs 358 on sustained buying support. While Reliance Energy mopped up 2.44% gains (Rs 18) to Rs 738, ICICI Bank moved up 2% (Rs 5) to Rs 277. ONGC was up a per cent (Rs 8) at Rs 854. Tata Power also ended with a per cent gain (Rs 4) at Rs 346. Zee added 1.76% (Rs 2) to Rs 121.
Tisco, however, lost 2% (Rs 7) to Rs 356.