Sensex ends up 27pts at 18,966

The Sensex opened with a bang - up 352 points (up 1.8%) - at 19,291 backed by a strong rally in the global markets. Asian markets like the Hang Seng, Nikkei, Taiwan Weighted, Straits Times and Seoul Composite indices were up 2-4% each.

The index touched a high of 19,297, pared some gains and thereafter exhibited lacklustre movement for major part of the trading day. Fresh selling on account of the derivatives expiry of November series saw the index dip into red for a brief while and touch a low of 18,930.

The Sensex finally ended (provisional) with a gain of 27 points at 18,966.