Sensex ends at 13,073, down 84pts

The Sensex opened marginally higher at 13,176, up 19 points. Amidst the early volatility the index touched a high of 13,203, and the slipped into the negative zone.

Unabated selling in the market saw the index drift to lower levels as the day went on. A heavy round of selling, particularly in Reliance, saw the index tumble to a low of 12,950 - down 253 points from the day's high.

However, fresh buying in banking stocks saw the index erase some of its losses by close. The index finally settled at 13,073 - down 84 points.