The Sensex, after touching a high of 4,949, scaled down its gains in the afternoon trades on profit-taking in select stocks, but recovered towards the closing bell to finish with a gain of 43 points at 4,930. The Nifty ended 13 points higher at 1,569.

HLL raked in nearly 3% gains (Rs 5) to Rs 195 on sustained buying support towards the closing bell. Reliance closed up a per cent (Rs 4) at Rs 489. ITC, however, ended off-gains on sustained selling pressure to Rs 883 - down Rs 10.

HPCL had a decent outing, and moved up 3% (Rs 11) to Rs 339. BHEL, on relentless buying support towards the fag-end, spurted 8% (Rs 33) to Rs 456. SBI and MTNL, however, ended down a rupee each at Rs 497 and Rs 120, respectively.

Grasim (up 4% or Rs 30 to Rs 787), L&T (up 4% or Rs 16 to Rs 400) and ACC (up 2% or Rs 5 to Rs 217) rallied sharply on healthy buying support. Gujarat Ambuja, however, slipped from higher levels, and finally ended 2% lower (Rs 5) at Rs 231.

Infosys rose sharply towards the end-stages, and jumped 3% (Rs 129) to Rs 4,738. While Satyam vaulted 7% (Rs 21) to Rs 309l, HCL Tech also registered 6% gains (Rs 11) gains to finish at Rs 206.

Auto and pharma stocks, however, lost ground on sustained selling pressure and largely finished with losses.