The Sensex on Wednesday commenced with a gain of 25 points at 6,158, and remained optimistic throughout the session. The index gained in a range of 50-60 points in the opening session, but slightly curbed gains in early noon deals on profit-taking in select stocks.

Renewed buying commenced in mid-noon deals and gained momentum towards the closing hours as a sharp surge in select PSUs, heavweights, cement and auto counters lifted the index above the 6,200 levels to a high of 6,215.

The Sensex, however, slipped below the crucial level at close and finally ended 61 points up at 6,194.

The Nifty added 18 points to close at 1,982.

ITC, on renewed buying towards the fag-end, rose 3% (Rs 37) to Rs 1,135. Reliance traded on a firm note, and advanced 2% (Rs 10) to Rs 597. HLL, however, closed down a rupee at Rs 207.

SBI attracted considerable buying support, and raked in 4% gains (Rs 29) at Rs 674. BHEL closed off-highs with a per cent gain (Rs 7) at Rs 593. MTNL, however, dropped 3% (Rs 4) to Rs 151. HPCL ended Rs 2 lower at Rs 458.

Grasim jumped 3% (Rs 33) to Rs 1,197. While Gujarat Ambuja spurted 5% (Rs 15) to Rs 328, L&T and ACC gained 2% each to Rs 590 (up Rs 11) and Rs 270 (up Rs 5), respectively.

Tata Motors garnered nearly 3% gains (Rs 13) to Rs 508 on sustained buying support. Bajaj moved up 2% (Rs 18) to Rs 1,078. Hero Honda, however, witnessed selling in its counter, and lost 3% (Rs 14) to Rs 477.

Infosys, however, shed ground since opening deals, and ended 2% lower (Rs 95) at Rs 5,699. While Satyam added 2% (Rs 8) to Rs 362, Wipro closed up a per cent (Rs 12) at Rs 1,758.

Dr. Reddy's at Rs 1,377 (down Rs 22 or 2%) and Cipla at Rs 1,345 (down Rs 12 or 15) slipped from higher levels on selling pressure. Ranbaxy, however, ended up a per cent (Rs 16) at Rs 1,138.

Hindalco advanced 2% (Rs 28) to Rs 1,430. While Tata Power jumped 3% (Rs 13) to Rs 423, Tisco clocked a per cent gain (Rs 8) to Rs 456. ONGC, however, ended off-gains at Rs 841 - down Rs 6, after holding gains for better part of the trading session.