Sensex ends firmly above 6,600-mark

The Sensex opened with a positive gap of 18 points at 6,541, which turned out to be the low for the day. Sustained buying in heavyweights saw the index move in positive zone right through the session.

After hitting a high of 6,610 towards the closing bell, the Sensex finally finished the session on a firm note with a gain of 80 points at 6,603.

The index thus gained 13% (764 points) during calender 2004 when compared with the December 31, 2003 close of 5,839 points.

While 24 scrips advanced with a volume of 1.17 crore shares totalling Rs 587 crore, six declined with a volume of 5 lakh shares for Rs 28 crore.

SBI advanced more than 3% (Rs 19) to Rs 652. Reliance gained more than 2% (Rs 11) to Rs 534. Infosys was up nearly 2% (Rs 40) at Rs 2,089. ITC was up a per cent (Rs 14) at Rs 1,310.

Grasim gained 2% (Rs 25) to Rs 1,322. ACC and Gujarat Ambuja also finished on a firm note.

Dr. Reddy's was up nearly 2% (Rs 16) at Rs 865. Ranbaxy was up 1.6% (Rs 20) at Rs 1,251.

Tata Motors moved up 1.6% (Rs 8) to Rs 505. Bajaj, Maruti and Hero Honda also finished with gains.

BHEL advanced more than 3% (Rs 23) to Rs 770. Tata Power was up Rs 15 at Rs 395.

Hindalco, Reliance Energy and HPCL closed with marginal losses today.