Brokers said that the sentiment was boosted mainly due to continued buying support extended by the domestic financial institutions, led by the UTI in index-based scrips. The gain was also due to today being the last session for the current settlement on the National Stock Exchange (NSE). Auto shares like Telco, Bajaj Auto, Hero Honda attracted fresh buying by the FIs. However, software stocks continued torule weak on selling by the foreign funds and profit-taking. Silverline, Satyam Computers, Aptech and HCL Infosystems lost further grounds.

On the NSE, pivotals staged a smart recovery on heavy short covering along with brisk low-level buying by local Financial investors. The NSE-50 resumed better at 968.90 and after touching a high of 1002.45, closed at 995.05, showing a smart rise of 26.45 over the last close of 968.60. Midcap index commenced higher at 1331.40 and closed at 1381.90, disclosing a gain of 50.65. The market witnessed a total turnover of Rs 1,610.40 crore.