<b>Sensex @ 17K:</b> ends up 54pts at 16,954

The Sensex opened with a positive gap of 69 points at 16,969, and soon crossed the 17,000-mark in opening trades. Renewed buying in technology stocks helped the index rally to a fresh all-time intra-day high of 17,074.

Some profit taking towards the end, saw the index slip into red to 16,887 - down 187 points from the day's high. The Sensex finally ended (provisional) with a gain of 54 points at 16,954.