Sensex ends up 178pts at 19,974

The Sensex opened with a significant positive gap of 267 points at 20,063, on the back of a smart rally in the US markets, and soon touched a high of 20,095.

However, profit-taking at higher levels saw the index pare gains and slip into the negative zone to a low of  19,706 - down 389 points from the day's high - as the day progressed.

Renewed buying interest in late noon trades saw the index rebound and regain most of its lost ground. The Sensex eventually (provisional) ended with a gain of 178 points at 19,974.