Brokers said the sentiment turned for the better following short covering on reports that the payment problem on the Calcutta Stock Exchange (CSE) had been settled with a smooth badla session in which carry forward charges were fixed relatively low at about 38 per cent per annum. Local operators covered their short position in view of end-account considerations.

FIIs were reportedly net buyers in select software scrips like Satyam Computer, Aptech, Pentafour, Digital Equipment besides E Merck, Ranbaxy,Parke Davis and others. Of the 151 traded specified shares, 87 showed sharp to moderate gains while 61 moved downwards and three remained unchanged.

Satyam Computer remained the top traded scrip with a turnover of Rs 423.51 crore of the total volume of business of Rs 1911.89 crore substantially lower than Rs 2471.01 recorded yesterday. Satyam Computer surged by Rs 110 to Rs 1485.15, Ranbaxy by Rs 67.25 to Rs 908.40, Zee Telefilms by Rs 258.50 to Rs 4300 and Pentafour Software by Rs 45.55 to Rs 615.55 on buying support. Reliance, Hindustan Lever, Infosys, ITC, NIIT and Tisco also remained better.