Sensex ends flat at 13,431

The Sensex opened with a negative gap of 39 points at 13,391. Unabated selling banking, metal and FMCG stocks saw the index tumble to a low of 13,200 - down 230 points from its previous close.

The index, however, recovered smartly backed by fresh buying in technology stocks. Frenzied buying in telecom stocks like Bharti Airtel and Reliance Communications saw the index rebound into the positive zone and touch a high of 13,463 - up 263 points from the day's low.

The Sensex finally ended on a flat note at 13,431, up one point.