Opening marginally higher, share prices improved towards the end as the closing rates showed widespread and modest gains. The volume of business remained normal while the closing undertone appeared better.

The BSE Sensitive moved between 3105.24 and 3041.09 points before finishing at 3096.10 with a net gain of 44.17 points as compared to the previous level of to 3051.93. The BSE-100 Index gained 18.08 points to 1374.45 from the previous level 1356.37.

Brokers said the sentiment improved further mainly due to fresh interest shown by the foreign funds in ITC, Zee Telefilms and SBI counters. An uptrend in the Asian bourses also aided the bullish sentiments. The rupee's stability against the dollar kept feelings in the market calm. The volume of business amounted to Rs 1255.27 crore,brokers said.

On the National Stock Exchange (NSE), pivotals maintained their upward march following increased buying in order to square up the outstanding position on the last day of the current settlement. The S&P CNX Nifty started at 887.25 and ended at 899.95, revealing a gain of 12.85 over the last close of 887.10. The total volume of business was Rs 1,330.98 crore.

At the exchange, 550 scrips advanced while 433 fell and 108 were unchanged.