Sensex (BSE sensitive index) moved between 2988.46 points and 2949.34 points before closing at 2976.58, still with a minor gain of 3.21 points as against the previous close of 2973.37. The BSE-100 index up by 0.51 point to 1317.01 as against the previous close of 1316.50.

Brokers said the sentiment remained steady mainly due to end-account considerations on the National Stock Exchange (NSE). ``Most of the local business was of squaring up in nature. The market started slightly better but share prices declined during the mid-session due to fresh selling at the higher levels and selling pressure by foreign funds,'' said a broker.

The FII activity was low with most players keeping out on year-end holidays. Domestic funds covered up oversold positions and lifted the market from its low level duringthe mid-session. Among the IT shares, Infosys was in limelight and peaked to the 52-week high of Rs 3,079 ahead of its board meeting to consider a bonus issue on Wednesday.

The turnover was brisk at Rs 1568.81 crore. ITC declined by Rs 6.75 to Rs 713 and Zee Telefilm by Rs 27.75 to Rs 605.25 on profit-taking. Satyam gained by Rs 3.25 to Rs 639.25, Pentafour by Rs 21.50 to Rs 574.25 and Tata Tea by Rs 23.70 to Rs 331.50 on short-covering.

On the NSE, pivotals turned weak on the last day of the current settlement due to fresh offerings by domestic funds. The market opened on a positive note but equities could not maintain their opening levels and declined during the course of trading. The S&P CNX Nifty eased by 2 points to close at 857.30 from the last close of 859.30.

The total turnover was Rs 1779.62 crore. The exchange witnessed 399 scrips advance, 607 scrips decline and 124 scrips remain unchanged. Also 19 securities had hit their price bands.