Stock prices moved in a highly listless manner right through the session today as participants appeared a bit clueless about the near term direction of the market. Mixed global cues and action in the F&O segment ahead of expiry of July series derivatives contracts also contributed to the market's choppy ride.

The Sensex which remained in the red for a better part of the session till a little past mid after noon, rallied sharply during the closing minutes thanks to some strong buying at a few front line counters and ended with a modest gain today.

The barometer, which tumbled to a low of 14,161.76 despite opening with a positive gap of nearly 75 points at 14,359.48, settled at 14,355.75 with a gain of 68.54 points or 0.48%. The Nifty moved in a range of around 57 points - it touched a high of 4342 and a low of 4285.55 - and closed with a gain of 19.40 points or 0.45% at 4332.95.

Metal, oil and select power, realty and capital goods stocks moved up on strong buying support today. Bank stocks, which opened on a weak note and slipped further down into the red in morning trade, bounced back and regained most of the lost ground later on in the day. IT, FMCG and auto stocks remained a bit subdued.