Late buying at select index heavyweights, coupled with recovery in other stocks, led the Sensex to a high of 5,115. However, the index finally closed one point lower at 5,102. The Nifty ended up one point at 1,599.
Reliance ended Rs 2 higher at Rs 479. ITC rallied 2% (Rs 19) to Rs 1,038. HLL, however, ended 3.5% lower at Rs 107.
Software stocks ended in positive zones. Infosys was up Rs 7 at Rs 1,487. Wipro advanced Rs 6 to Rs 540 and Satyam was up Rs 1.5 at Rs 336.
While auto and cement stocks ended on a weak note, pharma stocks exhibited mixed trends.
Tisco zoomed 4% (Rs 10) to Rs 266 after the announcement of the acqusition of Singapore-based Natsteel for a consideration of (approx) Rs 1,258 crore.