The Sensex opened with a small negative gap of two points at 6,231, and slipped to an intra-day low of 6,220. Buying at lower levels saw the index move into positive zone, and move in a narrow range for most part of the morning session.

Selling emerged again, and the index moved in negative zone in the early noon session. Late buying at select counters saw the index move up and touch a high of 6,274. The Sensex finally closed with a gain of 35 points at 6,269.

While 23 Sensex scrips advanced with a volume of 1.20 shares totalling Rs 573 crore, seven declined with a volume of 26 lakh shares for Rs 130 crore.

Heavyweights led the bounce with Reliance, which dropped to a low of Rs 487, finishing on a firm note with a gain of Rs 3 at Rs 502. ONGC gained more than 2% (Rs 17) to Rs 837. Infosys was up Rs 8 at Rs 2,038. SBI was up a rupee at Rs 596. HLL and ITC, however, were down a rupee each at Rs 144 and Rs 1,267, respectively.

Hero Honda was up 2% (Rs 11) at Rs 492. Ranbaxy gained nearly 1.5% (Rs 18) to close at Rs 1,215. While  BHEL was up Rs 6 at Rs 690, Bharti was up Rs 3 at Rs 191.

Cement scrips attracted fresh buying today. Grasim gained 1.5% (Rs 17) to Rs 1,209. ACC and Gujarat Ambuja closed with marginal gains.

HDFC moved up Rs 17 to Rs 779. HDFC Bank was up 1.6% (Rs 7) at Rs 473. Tisco added 1.6% (Rs 5) to finish at Rs 323. Zee gained Rs 4 to Rs 162. Hindalco declined Rs 23 to Rs 1,264.