The BSE sensitive index opened at 2906.47 and moved between 2936.92 and 2887.31 before closing at 2936.92, showing a net gain of 9.44 points from the previous close of 2927.40. The BSE-100 index advanced by 5.47 points to 1300.36 from the previous close of 1294.89 points.

Brokers said that the sentiment turned slightly steady after weak spell, mainly on fresh buying support extended by the local operators following the start of the new account on the National Stock Exchange (NSE). The cement giant ACC and steel leader Tisco reported moderate gains on report of increase in demand of steel and cements in the market. Pharma and IT shares staged a moderate recovery on good buying support. The FIIs have reportedlymade purchases in Telco, Satyam and Pentafour scrips.

Operators were jittery in early session and sold heavily with the sensex down by 40.17 points during mid-session trading on account of the stiff opposition to the introduction of the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) bill and secondly due to the delay that would be caused with the bill referred to the joint committee of Parliament.

The total turnover was Rs 1089.34 crore. Satyam Computers was the leader with a turnover of Rs 248.01 crore. Satyam Computers gained by Rs 24 to Rs 59, ITC by Rs 7.25 to Rs 704.75, Pentafour by Rs 18 to Rs 495.25, Telco by Rs 7.60 to Rs 145.60 and Zee Tele softened by one rupee to Rs 553.

On the NSE, pivotals recovered moderately on the first day of the current settlement due to fresh buying by foreign institutional investors (FIIs). The market opened on a weak note, but prices recovered towards the end of the trading session and finished better.

The S&P CNX Nifty rose by 6.50 points to close at 851.55 from the lastclose of 845.05. The market witnessed a total turnover of Rs 1449.40 crore. Today, 585 scrips rose while 326 declined and 98 remained unchanged, 36 securities had hit their price bands.