Sensex ends down 54pts at 17,723

The Sensex opened with a positive gap of 55 points at 17,832. Volatility in the first half of trading day saw the index slip to a low of 17,731. Renewed buying, thereafter, saw the index rally to a fresh all-time intra-day high of 17,979 (just 21 points shy of the 18,000-mark) - up 248 points from the day's low.

The index, however, could not hold gains and came tumbling down towards the close. The index dropped to a low of 17,709 - down 270 points from the day's peak. The Sensex finally ended (provisional) with a loss of 54 points at 17,723.