The Sensex opened almost flat at 8,906 - up three points amid mixed cues from the global markets. The index soon slipped to a low of 8,788 led by heavy selling in banking stocks.
However, selective buying thereafter helped the index recoup losses. A strong wave of short-covering, owing to the February derivatives expiry today, towards the end saw the index rebound into the positive zone and surge to a high of 8,989.
The Sensex finally (provisional) ended with a gain of 64 points at 8,967.
