The Sensex opened with a positive gap of 19 points at 4,788, and continued to add gains during the session. Sustained buying in techs, heavyweights, auto and cement scrips saw the index touch a high of 4,860. The Sensex finally closed on a strong note with a gain of nearly 1.7% (80 points) at 4,849.

While 20 index stocks advanced, 10 declined today. The traded volume and value of the scrips totalled 2.95 crore and Rs 1,140 crore, respectively. Advancing shares clocked a turnover of Rs 1,062 crore - a clear sign of sustained buying today.

HPCL zoomed nearly 6% (Rs 19) to Rs 354 after the government move to seek a review of the SC order.

Infosys was firm right through the session, and gained 3% (Rs 139) to Rs 4,748. Satyam added Rs 10 to Rs 292.

Reliance advanced 2% (Rs 11) to Rs 481.  ITC also moved up 2% (Rs 21) to Rs 907. SBI was up Rs 12 at Rs 493. HLL, however, was down a notch at Rs 189.

Tata Motors added 4% (Rs 14) to Rs 386. Hero Honda moved up 4% (Rs 12) to Rs 333. Bajaj, however, was down Rs 9 at Rs 842.

ACC advanced nearly 3% (Rs 5) to Rs 209. Gujarat Ambuja, Grasim and L&T also finished in positive zones.

Tisco vaulted 7% (Rs 23) to Rs 341.

HDFC was down a per cent (Rs 7) to Rs 533 after the announcement of the Q2 results.

Tech stocks largely finished at higher levels today. Wipro gained 2% (Rs 23) to Rs 1,371. Digital was also up 2% at Rs 558. i-flex zoomed 5% (Rs 36) to Rs 822. Mastek, which will be announcing results today, declined 2% to Rs 262.

Oil PSU shares flared up on fresh buying. ONGC advanced 4% (Rs 27) to Rs 641. BPCL was up 3% at Rs 361. IOC added 2% to Rs 376.

Bank scrips, too, closed with gains. Kotak Bank zoomed 9% (Rs 30) to Rs 382. Vijaya Bank advanced 10% to Rs 34. PNB zoomed 7% to Rs 209. HDFC Bank, Canara and BoB also finished at higher levels today.

Textile scrips rallied sharply. Bombay Dyeing zoomed 14% (Rs 14) to Rs 107. Century Textiles advanced 8% (Rs 10) to Rs 132. Raymond moved up 7% to Rs 155. Indian Rayon gained 7% to Rs 214.

Mirc Electronics zoomed 15% (Rs 30) to Rs 233 after the company announced moves for share division (Rs 10/share to be split to 10 shares of Re 1 each) and selling its infotech unit on Saturday.

Sonata Software dopped 11% to Rs 12 after disappointing Q2 numbers announced on Saturday.

IPCL, which hit a new high of Rs 200 in intra-day deals today, declined 4% (Rs 8) to Rs 184. The company announced a 20% increase in Q2 net at Rs 54 crore. The government, meanwhile, has decided to divest its 34% residual stake in the company and has asked merchant bankers to file EoIs by October 31.