Sensex gains 24.7 points

Brokers said operators were initially not showing much interest in extending their commitments due to the prevailing political situation. However, the sentiment turned better at the end following buying by institutions and short-covering by local operators. Digital Equipment, which hit the upper price band in the last couple of days, continued its upsurge to hit the upper circuit-breaker once again on reports that the company was hiving off its hardware division for Rs 80 crore. Otherspecified scrips that hit the upper price band were ICI, Philips India, IPCL and Ashok Leyland.

Pentafour Software was the most active scrip with a turnover of Rs 238.91 crore of the total volume of business of Rs 1395.33 crore. Other top traded shares were Satyam Computer of Rs 168.50 crore, ITC on Rs 147.30 crore, Tata Tea of Rs 82.88 crore and Castrol of Rs 60.47 crore). Pentafour Software recovered by Rs 8.25 to Rs 853, Satyam Computers by Rs 37 to Rs 883.50, ITC by Rs 5.75 to Rs 830, Tata Tea by Rs 11.75 to Rs 393.50, Castrol by Rs 25 to Rs 823, Hindustan Lever by Rs 10.25 to Rs 1882.50, TELCO by Rs 2.10 to Rs 184 and SBI by Rs 2.70 to Rs 152 on buying support.

On the National Stock Exchange (NSE), after a weak start, equities recovered smartly posting handsome gains on squaring-up positions on the last day of the current settlement. The S&P CNX Nifty improved by 8.25 to close at 924.75 from the previous close of 916.50. The total turnover was Rs 2,055.32 crore. The exchange witnessed 483 securitiesadvance, 591 scrips decline and 91 remain unchanged while 81 securities had hit their price bands.