The 30-share index commenced the day on a strong note at 19,813.72 but fell to a low of 19,571.91 intra-day before settling 30 points, or 0.15 per cent, higher at 19,704.33. It had lost 2.8 per cent in the first four days of this week.
Similarly, the broad-based National Stock Exchange index, Nifty, closed higher by 16.50 points, or 0.28 per cent, at 5,983.55.
Brokers said sentiment turned better on emergence of short covering positions created in the recent bear phase.
The market remained volatile amid mixed trend in the global markets as investors awaited data on US durable goods orders in April.
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Alloy major Tata Steel surged 4.56 per cent to Rs 313.15 even as the company reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 6,528.51 crore for the quarter ended March, 2013.
Half of the the 30 shares of Sensex ended higher, led by Tata Steel, Tata Power and Larsen Toubro rising 4.56 per cent, 3.75 per cent and 2.70 per cent, respectively.