Pivotals move narrowly

Brokers said some bull operators, who had gone long on index scrips squared up their positions. High margins 30-40 per cent on software and technology stocks deterred any major buying by the local operators. Foreign institutional investors FIIs were active players in an otherwise dull market. The FII buying was mainly in Zee Telefilms, MTNL, SBI and others. Lack of buying interest from domestic financial institutions allowed theSensex to fall during the later part of the day.

The total turnover was Rs 946.35 crores. Satyam computers topped the list with a turnover of Rs 225.92 crore.

On the National Stock Exchange NSE, pivotals ended with marginal gains on the first day of trading for the current settlement on speculative buying by domestic funds. The NSE-50 opened at 968.05, touched a high of 988.55 and closed at 971.40, showing a rise of 4.05 over the previous close of 967.35. The total traded value was Rs 1,334.16 crore.