The 30-share barometer resumed the day stable. It touched intra-day high of 21,005.04 but lost a little momentum and end at 20,986.99, a rise of 134.52 points from its last close.

The 30-share barometer resumed lower and gradually recovered, improving further to settle at one-month high of 20,811.44, a rise or 110.69 points or 0.53 per cent. The last time the key index closed at this level was on January 24.

After rising 441 points in the past three sessions, the 30-share index of the Bombay Stock Exchange rose further by 88.76 points, or 0.43 per cent, to end at 20,722.97 - the highest since it closed at 21,133.56 on January 24.

The Sensex resumed higher at 20,429.16 and hovered in a range of 20,516.60 and 20,149.01 before ending at 20,366.82, showing a mere loss of 9.74 points, or 0.05 per cent. Nifty moved down by 14.85 points, or 0.24 per cent, to settle at 6,048.35.

Intra-day, the Sensex touched a high of 20,434.50 and a low of 20,312.21. Overall, 16 constituents of 30-share Sensex fell while 14 like RIL , L&T and ITC rose.

A stable government at the centre after the election will be a key catalyst for the resurgence of the market. The Indian market may remain volatile until the elections but that gives an opportunity to build a strong portfolio.

The index, which had gained 101 points in the previous three days, rose further by 65.82 points, or 0.32 per cent, to end at 20,376.56. Intra-day, the barometer touched a low of 20,282.30 and a high of 20,450.51. Today's close was the highest since 20,513.85 on January 31.

Infosys, ICICI Bank and Tata Motors led the 25 losers in the 30-share Sensex on Monday. The biggest laggards were Hindalco and Tata Steel. Sun Pharma, Dr Reddy's and Cipla gained.

The week saw stock markets witnessing immense volatility amidst selling pressure as the S&P BSE benchmark Sensex snapped its last two-week gains, tumbling by 620 pts following hike in the interest rates by Reserve Bank of Indi.

In the 30-share Sensex, 18 stocks gained while 12 scrips declined. Axis Bank, Bharti Airtel , GAIL India, ICICI Bank , Mahindra and Mahindra, Reliance Industries, State Bank of India , TCS, Tata Steel and Wipro led the gainers.

Shares from metal, banking, consumer durables and realty pack were among the laggards while capital goods and pharma stocks attracted good buying support, traders added.

Good corporate results from some key companies coupled with sustained foreign capital inflows kept the market tempo upbeat for the second straight week.

Stocks of pharmaceutical companies had a stellar run in 2013. The trend is likely to continue. According to the India Brand Equity Foundation, the main drivers for the industry will be outsourcing and investments by MNCs, spread of health insurance and improved health-care facilities.

The 30-share barometer resumed weak and was in the negative territory for the entire day. Traders also said weak global cues due to poor Chinese manufacturing data put pressure on markets.

The 30-share barometre rose further by 35.99 points, or 0.17 per cent, to settle at new all-time high of 21,373.66, just a day after it scaled the peak of 21,337.67 points.

Fund managers exposure in banking stocks rose to a six-month high of over Rs 34,000 crore in December on account of rise in equity market and various steps taken by the RBI to prop up the banking sector.

\"Rupee traded range-bound today but managed to closeslightly strong after a three-day fall. Local equities posted its record highclosing today, supporting the rupee movement,\" said Pramit Brahmbhatt,CEO, Alpari Financial Services (India).

The 30-share barometer, which rose for the third straight day, surpassed its previous all-time high of 21,326.42 points set on December 9 when the results of Assembly elections were announced. The Sensex had gained 187.50 in the previous two trading sessions.

Seven of the 12 BSE sectoral indices fell, led by auto, FMCG and healthcare stocks. Tata Motors and Sun Pharma were among the 16 Sensex shares that declined.

Ahead of retail inflation, the benchmark Sensex on Monday climbed over 375 points clocking its best gain in seven weeks, buoyed by across-the-board buying on expectations the RBI will keep interest rates on hold after industrial output in November contracted.