Sensex ends at 13,872, down 143pts

Continued optimism in the market saw the Sensex open marginally (14 points) higher at 14,029, and soon touch a new all-time intra-day high of 14,060 in the opening trades.

The index, however, could not hold gains for long and soon slipped into the negative zone. Unabated selling in ITC and Hindalco, coupled with profit-taking in technology stocks, saw the index slip deeper into red as the day progressed.

The index slipped to a low of 13,850 - down 210 points from the day's high - at the fag end of the day. The Sensex finally settled with a loss of 143 points at 13,872.