Sensex ends up 42pts at 20,855

The Sensex opened with a significant positive gap of 157 points at 20,970, and soon rallied past the 21,000-mark to a a fresh all-time high of 21,078.

Profit-taking at higher levels saw the index slip into red to a low of 20,697 - down 381 points from the peak. Fresh buying towards the end saw the index rebound into the positive zone and finish (provisional) with a gain of 42 points at 20,855.