Sensex ends at 13,696, up 79pts

The Sensex opened marginal (14 points) higher at 13,631. Fresh buying in opening trades saw the index flare up to a high of 13,745.

Buying was seen in auto, banking and technology stocks. Cement and metal stocks, however, witnessed profit taking. The index witnessed a intra-day dip, wherein it slipped to the day's low, only to bounce back at close.

The Sensex finally settled with a smart gain of 79 points at 13,696.