Stock brokers said while infotech sector stocks continued to rule bullish largely on reports of a strong performance by Satyam Infoway and Infosys Technologies on Nasdaq, shares of cements, automobiles and petrochemical segments lost their initial gains after players were seen winding-up long positions.

Reports that infosys technologies would consider a stock split and the ratio at its board meeting on Monday mainly fuelled the buying spree, they added. HDFC Bank was also in good demand throughout thes ession after reports that company's board would discuss the merger of Timesbank with HDFC Bank.

"The drop in the index was mostly attributed to the sharp fall in the economy stocks," said a DSE broker. Infosys Technologies, enthused by positive news evoked increased buying support and ended Rs 75 higher at Rs 9650. Satyam on enthuastic buying by major players, including foreign funds, shot up by Rs 88 to close at Rs 1935, after touching a record high of Rs 1954.

Pentafour software spurted by Rs 29.90, or nearly 4 per cent to close at Rs 729.80 mainly in line with overall trends. Silverline Industries gathered another Rs 10.20 to close at Rs 500.15 after rising to Rs 508. Rolta India also remained distinctly bullish and spurted by Rs 12.50, or 8 per cent, to hit the upper-side circuit-filter at Rs 178. Aptech and SSI also attracted buyers' fancy and gained Rs 25.80 and Rs 15 to close at Rs 1279.80 and Rs 1315, respectively.

Tata Elxsi, too, found selective buying support and ended Rs 9.70 higher at Rs 184.80. ACC met with late selling, after an initial firmness, and ended Rs 9.25 down at Rs 196.25. It soared to Rs 205.50 at mid-session, but late selling reversed an early trend. Larsen & Toubro fell Rs 9.60 to close at Rs 408.90, while Gujarat Ambuja Cement found some support and ended Re 1 up at Rs 566.