Sensex ends down 30pts at 18,018

The Sensex opened with a positive gap of 167 points at 18,215 on positive cues from the Asian markets. After extending gains in early trades, the index exhibited range-bound movement for the major part of the trading session today.

After touching a high of 18,314, the index slipped into the red towards the close to a low of 18,032 - down 282 points from the day's high. The Sensex finally ended (provisional) with a marginal loss of 30 points at 18,018.