After opening with 25 points gains at 4,733, the markets remained sluggish till mid-noon deals and occassionally moved into positive zone on selective buying support. The index, however, recouped its lost ground towards the closing hours following gains in heavyweights, tech, cement & pharma stocks, and touched a high of 4,747.

The Sensex finally wrapped up the day's trading with a gain of 36 points at 4,744. The Nifty, too, after displaying mixed trends during intra-day deals, finally ended with a gain of 16 points at 1,498.

Reliance firmed up towards the close on buying support and moved up nearly 2% (Rs 8) to Rs 473. HLL, which had a mixed outing, finally closed up a per cent (Rs 2) at Rs 177. ITC, however, ended on a subdued note with a loss of a per cent (Rs 9) at Rs 861.

BHEL, after a steady opening, slipped in late morning deals on selling pressure, and lost 2% (Rs 7) to Rs 426. HPCL, too, remained weak through the session, and closed down a per cent (Rs 3) at Rs 325. SBI, however, which displayed mixed trends, finally clocked 2% gains (Rs 8) to Rs 486. MTNL closed up a rupee at Rs 111.

Infosys traded with steady gains till mid-noon deals, but peaked up towards the fag-end to finish with 2% higher (Rs 83) at Rs 4,558. While HCL Tech added Rs 3 to Rs 196, Satyam traded off-highs and closed up a rupee at Rs 289.

Grasim at Rs 788 (up 4% or Rs 788) and Gujarat Ambuja at Rs 236 (up 3% or &) gained significantly towards the closing bell on strong buying support. ACC closed up a rupee at Rs 203. L&T, however, exhibited weakness and declined 2% (Rs 8) to Rs 390.

Pharma and auto stocks, too, erased their losses and ended with decent gains.