Sensex (BSE sensitive index) started weak at 3445.84 and moved between 3485.74 and 3437.55 before closing at 3464.52 with a minor gain of 0.75 point compared to the previous level of 3463.77. The BSE-100 index, however, lost 7.12 points to 1508.36 from the last close of 1515.48.

Brokers said the sentiment remained subdued on fears of political instability in the wake of AIADMK supremo Jayalalitha's statement last night, indicating her resolve to withdraw support to the BJP-led coalition government at the Centre. As it was the last day of the current settlement on the National Stock Exchange (NSE), speculators were forced to cover up their pending positions on fears that the market might decline further.

Infotech stocks remained the most affectedstocks in the market. Satyam Computers declined by Rs 37.50 to Rs 1336.50 despite reports of higher dividend and a bonus issue. Satyam announced a liberal bonus issue in the ratio of 1:1 but showed a marked fall as the scrip had already gained sharply after the bonus meeting was fixed. The total volume of business was higher at Rs 1442.14 crore from Rs 1332.55 posted yesterday. Satyam Computer was the most actively traded scrip with a turnover of Rs 389.97 crore followed by Pentafour Software (Rs 282.30 crore), ITC Rs (60.23 crore)Digital Equipment (Rs 60.20 crore) and Ranbaxy (Rs 47.77 crore).