Mumbai, Jan 8 (PTI) After overnight brief respite, the BSE benchmark sensex recovered by over 51 points to end at 19,742.52 while the Nifty of the NSE regained 6K-mark at close on late buying in mainly in heavyweights like ITC and HDFC, despite weak Asian amid mixed European cues.
Cigarette major and heavyweight ITC and housing finance provider HDFC were the top gainers from the sensex pack and contributed the most to the sensex gains, mainly helping the fag-end recovery.
SBI, Bharti Airtel, TCS, ONGC and Sun Pharma also surged while Infosys, L&T, RIL, TCS and Wipro suffered losses and restricted the sensex rise.
The Bombay Stock Exchange 30-share barometer initially moved in a narrow range in negative terrain till late afternoon, but buying at the fag-end pushed it up to settle at 19,742.52, displaying a net rise of 51.10 points or 0.26 pct.
Yesterday, it had dropped by 92.66 points or 0.47 pct.
The wide-based S&P CNX Nifty of the NSE also recouped by 13.30 points or 0.22 pct to end above 6K-mark at 6,001.70.
Brokers attributed Initial weakness to fall Asian markets as investors adopted cautious approach after recent smart rally and also ahead of earnings season.
Country''s second largest software services exporters, Infosys lost 1.41 pct ahead of its third quarter results scheduled to be announced on Friday (January 11).
Asian stocks ended lower today. Key indices in China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan were down between 0.40 pct and 0.94 pct. .