The Sensex resumed on a flat note at 6,666. While early selling pressure in select stocks saw the index slip into the red to touch a low of 6,648, the market reverted into positive territory by mid-morning trades as steady buying commenced in most of the counters.
After crossing the 6,700-mark in late morning trades, the market-mood remained firm thereafter with the index soaring to a high of 6,723 (up 75 pts from the day's low) towards the fag-end on, particularly, steep rise in heavyweights, tech and other select old economy scrips.
The Sensex, which ended weak yesterday after seven straight gains, ended 52 points higher at 6,715. The Nifty, too, witnessed a strong rally and moved up 15 points to 2,088.
Reliance jumped 1.63% (Rs 9) to Rs 535. ITC rallied sharply on strong buying support and soared 2.69% (Rs 42) to Rs 1,600. ONGC added 1.21% (Rs 11) to Rs 921. HLL, however, was down a rupee at Rs 1,130, after registering steep gains yesterday.
Infosys moved up a per cent (Rs 23) to Rs 2,251. While Satyam advanced 2.22% (Rs 10) to Rs 453, Wipro added 1.40% (Rs 10) to Rs 716.
Reliance Energy flared up 3.60% gains (Rs 18) to Rs 516, and Tata Power was up a per cent (Rs 4) at Rs 387. L&T, however, lost 1.25% (Rs 13) to Rs 1,047.
Banking major SBI gained 1.26% (Rs 8) to Rs 671. While ICICI Bank was up a per cent (Rs 2) at Rs 392, HDFC Bank ended a tad lower at Rs 540.
Among auto counters Hero Honda slumped 2.82% (Rs 16) to Rs 553. Bajaj (down Rs 2 to Rs 1,227) erased most of its early losses on buying support.