The Sensex opened 92 points higher at 8,956 backed by positive global cues. Aggressive buying in realty and metal stocks led the index rally to a high of 9,120 - up 256 points from the previous close.
However profit-taking at higher levels, mainly banking and oil & gas coupled with weakness in FMCG stocks saw the index pare gains in the last session. The Sensex touched the day's low of 8,951, and finally (provisional) ended with a gain of 114 points at 8,978.