Auto, metal, PSU bank, realty and IT shares saw good buying support from investors.
Brokers said investors turned cautious and parked their funds in less risky and fundamentally strong stocks ahead of the September quarter earnings season, starting tomorrow with Infosys results.
The 50-issue Nifty resumed lower at 6,001.05 and hovered in a range of 6,033.95 and 5,979.80 before ending at 6,020.95, showing a marginal gain of 13.50 points, or 0.22 per cent, from its last close.
Asian stock markets ended mixed, with key indices in Singapore and Japan rising, while those in China, Hong Kong and South Korea falling.
Top five gainers from the Nifty pack were Tata Motors 4.93 pct, Ranbaxy 3.39 pct, NMDC 2.95 pct, Lupin 2.52 pct and Grasim 2.12 pct. Top five laggards were Tata Power 2.45 pct, Hindalco 2.13 pct, Kotak Bank 1.82 pct, HUL 1.45 pct and Hdfc Bank 1.25 pct.
Turnover in the cash segment dropped to Rs 10,485.10 crore from 11,638.84 crore yesterday. A total of 5,601.02 lakh shares changed hands in 51,22,496 trades. The market capitalisation stood at Rs 64,62,991 crore.