Rally in tech stocks (notably Infosys), Reliance and select other old and new economy stocks saw the Sensex end 70 points higher at 4,769. The Nifty also ended with gains of 21 points at 1,523.

Infosys rallied sharply on the back of its good quarter numbers, and spurted to a high of Rs 4,676. It finally closed 4% (Rs 161) higher at Rs 4,595. The tech major registered a volume of more than five lakh on the BSE with a turnover of Rs 272 crore.

The tech bellwether earlier today, reported a 33% increase in net profit at Rs 300.16 crore for the second quarter ended September 30, 2003 when compared with Rs 225.77 crore in Q2FY03.

Satyam at Rs 282 (up Rs 26 or 10%) and HCL Tech at Rs 195 (up Rs 7 or 4%), too, ended with steep gains on strong buying support.

Reliance attracted considerable buying support, and advanced 3% (Rs 16) to Rs 471. The counter clocked a volume of more than more than 33 lakh on the BSE with value at Rs 157 crore. While ITC added Rs 4 to Rs 885, HLL closed up a rupee at Rs 189.

HPCL lost ground since opening trades, and dropped 4% (Rs 15) to Rs 334. BHEL ended off-gains at Rs 424 (down Rs 2). SBI, however, ended up a rupee at Rs 481.

Tata Motors remained firm through the session, and spurted 4% (Rs 13) to Rs 372 . While Hindalco shot up 2% (Rs 23) to Rs 1,083, Castrol notched up 4% gains (Rs 19) to Rs 441.