Sensex ends up 67 points

The Sensex opened at 17,639 and buying in the metal and the auto stocks made the index touch a high of 17,793, the highest level in 2-1/2 months on the back of strong Asian cues. The index continued to trade firm for most part of the day.

The benchmark index however pared some of its gains towards the end and finally ended (provisional) at 17,711 up 67 points.

The NSE Nifty closed 21 points higher at 5,302.

The market breadth was negative, out of 2,949 shares traded, 1,852 declined and 1,022 advanced on the BSE.

The BSE IT index was the major dragger among the sectoral indices, down 2% at 5,420 after the rupee strengthened to its highest level in more than 18 months.Mphasis dropped 3% to Rs 631 and Infosys slipped 2% to Rs 2,715, respectively on the IT index.

Consumer Durables was the major gainer, up 2%, followed by FMCG and bankex, up 1% each.

The BSE midcap and the smallcap indices were flat at 6,780 and 8,381, respectively.

INDEX GAINERS...

Hindalco was the top gainer, up 3% at Rs 184, followed by Mahindra & Mahindra, up 2.5%, respectively. The stock touched a high of Rs 564, post stock-split decision.

 HDFC, Sterlite and Sun Pharma advanced 2% each on the BSE to Rs 2,664, Rs 836 and Rs 1,800, respectively.

...AND THE LOSERS

Infosys and TCS were down 2% each at Rs 2,715 and Rs 811, respectively.

Tata Motors and Reliance were down 1% each.