Hectic buying towards the fag-end in SBI, Reliance and Zee saw the Sensex finally settle with a gain of 44 points at 3,721. The Nifty also ended 10 points higher at 1,172.

PSU frontliners rallied sharply and ended firm with substantial gains. SBI on sustained buying interest flared up 4% (Rs 14) to Rs 403. BHEL advanced towards the fag-end to close with a gain of 2% (Rs 6) to Rs 286. HPCL remained firm throughout the trading session and added Rs 5 to Rs 358. MTNL, however, closed down a rupee at Rs 114.

Heavyweights ended on a divergent note. ITC and HLL were down Rs 2 each to Rs 754 and Rs 168 on selling pressure. Reliance, after a steady opening, gained ground towards the closing stages to finish with a gain of 3% (Rs 10) at Rs 340.

Techs ended in the slip-stream on profit-booking. Satyam ended weak with a loss of 3% (Rs 6) at Rs 193. Infosys slipped on profit-booking towards the closing stages to finish down a per cent (Rs 29) at Rs 3,481. HCL Tech, however, finished marginally up at Rs 167.

Dr Reddy's rose 6% (Rs 70) to Rs 1,185. Zee ended with a robust gain of 12% (Rs 13) to Rs 117, and Tisco clocked 4% gains (Rs 7) to Rs 190 on sustained buying interest. ICICI Bank had a decent outing, and moved up 4% (Rs 6) to Rs 160.