The index touched a day's low of 14,748 - down 437 points from its previous close.
The index recovered smartly in late noon deals and touched a day's high of 15,271.
Consumer durables and oil & gas stocks gained 2.3% and 1.3%, respectively, while realty and power stocks were hit the most.
The Sensex finally ended (provisional) with a gain of 55 points at 15,240.
The market breadth was marginally positive - out of 2,672 stocks traded, 1,483 advanced, 1,105 declined, and 84 were unchanged.
The NSE Nifty moved up (provisional) 16 points at 4,539.
