The Sensex today opened 28 points higher at 14,903, following the positive global cues.
The index touched a nine-month high of 15,046 - up 313 points from the day's low.
Following the subdued opening in the European markets, the Sensex pared its gains and slipped into the negative zone. It touched a low of 14,733 on profit booking in IT and banking stocks.
The BSE IT and Bankex indices were down 1% each at 3,090 and 8,058, respectively.
However, trading was extremely choppy as investors continued with their alternative bouts of buying and selling in the market.
The Sensex snapped the six-day winning streak and finally ended at 14,871, down four points.
The market breadth was positive - out of 2,858 shares traded, 2,016 advanced, 792 declined and 50 were unchanged today.
INDEX MOVERS...
Hindalco and ITC added 6% to Rs 93 and Rs 203, respectively.
Jaiprakash Associates, Grasim and ACC soared 4.5% each to Rs 226, Rs 2,306 and Rs 818, respectively.
Reliance Communications and Tata Motors gained 4% each at Rs 333 and Rs 362, respectively.
Tata Steel, Hindustan Unilever, Sun Pharma, Sterlite and Ranbaxy were up 1-3% each.
...AND THE SHAKERS
Mahindra & Mahindra slumped 4% to Rs 698. Infosys and SBI dropped 2% each to Rs 1,646 and Rs 1,873, respectively.
ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Reliance and Reliance Infrastructures were down 1-2% each.
OTHER PROMINENT GAINERS...
Tech Mahindra zoomed 18% to Rs 658. Welspun-Gujarat Stahl Rohren, Aban Offshore, Suzlon Energy, Biacon, Zee Entertainment, Sun TV Network, Glenmark Pharma, Tata Tea, KSK Energy Ventures, Essar oil and United Phosphorus advanced 8-16% each.
...AND THE LOSERS
Jain Irrigation Systems slumped 6% to Rs 630. Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers, NMDC, Mundra Port, Godrej Industries, Indiabulls Real Estate, CESC, Educomp Solutions, Indian Hotels Company, GTL Infrastructures, Indian Bank, Bank of Baroda, Andhra Bank, Cairn India, Pantaloon Retail India, Central Bank and Allahabad Bank declined 3-5% each.
VALUE & VOLUME TOPPERS
Suzlon Energy topped the value chart with a turnover of Rs 392.45 crore followed by Satyam (320.47 crore), Unitech (Rs 291.35 crore), Essar Oil (273.62 crore) and Tata Steel (Rs 264.72 crore).
Satyam Computer led the volume chart with trades of 48 million shares. It was followed by Cals Refineries (42 million), Ispat (38.75 million), Alok Industries (35.54 million) and Suzlon Energy (32.75 million).
