Sensex ends up 40pts at 16,885

The Sensex opened with a positive gap of 45 points at 16,891, and soon touched a new all-time intra-day high of 16,928 - just 72 points shy of the 17,000-mark.

Profit-taking at higher levels saw the index pare gains and drop into red to a low of 16,677 - down 251 points from the day's high. However, the index rebounded into the positive zone on the back of fresh buying at lower levels.

The Sensex finally ended (provisional) with a gain of 40 points at a record 16,885.