The Sensex opened with a positive gap of 41 points at 4,798, and immediately zoomed to a high of 4,828 - a gain of 71 points. After moving in positive zone right through the muhurat session, the Sensex finally finished with a gain of 45 points at 4,802.

While 26 scrips advanced, four declined today. Out of 93 lakh Sensex shares traded, advances clocked a volume of 92 lakh for Rs 334 crore.

Heavyweights finished at higher levels. ITC was up nearly 2% (Rs 16) at Rs 873. Reliance gained Rs 4 to Rs 475. HLL was up a rupee at Rs 188.

Infosys was up Rs 15 at Rs 4,573. Satyam added Rs 4 to Rs 302.

SBI moved up Rs 6 to Rs 498. MTNL, HPCL and BHEL also closed higher today.

Cement scrips ended on a firm note. Grasim gained nearly 3% (Rs 21) to Rs 757. ACC advanced Rs 7 to Rs 206. Gujarat Ambuja and L&T also finished with gains.

Ranbaxy moved up a per cent (Rs 11) to Rs 973. Cipla, Glaxo and Dr. Reddy's also finished in positive zones.

Bajaj gained Rs 9 to Rs 863. While Hero Honda was up Rs 7 at Rs 325, Tata Motors moved up Rs 6 to Rs 383.

Hindalco was up Rs 19 at 1,042. Tisco added Rs 4 to Rs 345.

PSU scrips attracted buying support today. EIL jumped more than 5% to Rs 377. Kochi Refineries gained 5% to Rs 151. ONGC advanced more than 3% (Rs 20) to Rs 604. BPCL was up 2% at Rs 332. BEL, HMT, Neyvelli and GAIL also finished with gains.

Tech stocks were largely weak today. Mphasis dropped a per cent to Rs 511. Visualsoft dropped a per cent to Rs 218. Wipro was down a notch at Rs 1,284. Digital, Geometric and Mastek also declined today. i-flex, however, was up a per cent (Rs 9) at Rs 703.