Sensex gains 18 points at close

The Sensex opened on a weak note at 6,401, and soon dipped to a low of 6,373 on profit-taking after the recent rally. After moving in a narrow range for most part of the morning session, the index moved into positive zone in early noon deals. After hitting a high of 6,437, the Sensex finally closed with a gain of 18 points at 6,420.

The Nifty was up four points at 2,033.

While 17 Sensex scrips advanced with a volume of 97 lakh shares totalling Rs 390 crore, 13 declined with a volume of 89 lakh shares for Rs 412 crore.

Infosys was up more than a per cent (Rs 21) at Rs 2,119. HLL was up a rupee at Rs 150. ITC was down Rs 8 at Rs 1,271. Reliance declined Rs 5 to Rs 490. SBI lost nearly 3% (Rs 17) to Rs 587.

ACC advanced more than 2% (Rs 8) to Rs 321. While Grasim was up Rs 11 at Rs 1,251, Gujarat Ambuja moved up Rs 5 to Rs 387.

Bajaj Auto moved up nearly 2% (Rs 26) to Rs 1,085.

Maruti and Hero Honda, however, declined today.

L&T zoomed more than 4% (Rs 43) to Rs 990. Dr. Reddy's was up more than 2% (Rs 19) to Rs 841. HDFC Bank advanced 1.5% (Rs 7) to Rs 481. HPCL was up Rs 5 at Rs 379.

Zee dropped 3.6% (Rs 6) to Rs 172. ONGC, Reliance Energy and BHEL also declined today.

ING Vysya Bank zoomed 19% (Rs 81) to Rs 503 after the board cleared a 3:1 rights issue at Rs 45 per share. Other private sector bank stocks also finished with gains. Karnataka Bank advanced 17% (Rs 25) to Rs 172. South Indian Bank added 11% (Rs 6) to Rs 62.