Sensex ends up 17pts at 11,852

The Sensex roared back into positive zone after been hammered down in early trades today. The, Bombay Stock Exchange, index had tumbled to an intra-day low of 11,345 - down 490 points - minutes after the opening bell.

The fall was due Sebi's interim order banning select big brokerage houses, owing to their alleged involvement in the IPO scam. Today morning, Sebi clarified saying that the ban is applicable only on proprietary trading and not the banned brokerage clients.

Steady buying thereafter saw the index recoup losses. Heavy buying towards the close saw the index rebound into the positive zone and touch a high of 11,877 - up 532 points from the day's low.

The Sensex finally closed with a gain of 17 points at 11,852.