Sensex ended slightly lower amid mixed trend in various constituents of the barometer index. Trading was lacklustre mimicking dull trade in Asian and European markets.

Heavyweights Reliance Industries and Infosys remained subdued for almost the entire day. Cement pivotals firmed up expecting strong Q3 results. Select side counters surged.

The 30-share BSE Sensex lost 14.91 points or 0.1% to settle at 14,114.73. The benchmark index had recovered from a lower level after having dropped as many as 58.99 points, to 14,070.65, at 14:32 IST. Barring the dip in late-afternoon trade, the market remained ranged for a better part of the day. Earlier, the Sensex struck an all-time high of 14,211.15 at the onset of trading.

While Sensex ended in the red, the S&P; CNX Nifty managed a marginal gain. It rose 2.1 points or 0.05% to settle at 4,080.50.

The market-breadth was positive, but it weakened compared to that in the early-afternoon. For 1,334 shares rising on BSE, 1321 declined. As many as 50 shares were unchanged. BSE Mid-Cap Index gained 26.59 points or 0.44% to settle at 6,081.10. BSE Small-Cap Index rose 18.73 points or 0.25% to settle at 7505.44.

The BSE clocked a turnover of Rs 3976 crore, lower than Mondays Rs 4703.78 crore.

Q3 results and the management guidance about the outlook would dictate the near term trend on the bourses. After results, the focus is likely to shift to Union Budget 2007-08. Market players are likely to start building positions on expectations of favorable policy announcements in the budget.

The earnings season has started on a good note with Infosys, TCS, HCL Tech, HDFC Bank and UTI Bank unveiling strong numbers. Wipro unveils Q3 results tomorrow and Ranbaxy unveils results on Thursday. Reliance Industries and Satyam Computer are slated to released their numbers on Friday.

Divergent trend was witnessed in various sectoral indices on BSE today. BSE Auto sector index rose 47.18 points or 0.8% to 5,699.73. Banking sector index Bankex rose 16.74 points or 0.23% to settle at 7,419. The Capital Goods Index was the star performer with a gain of 94.83 points or 1% at 9,361.10.

BSE Metal index lost 108.67 points or 1.1% to 9,162.74. BSE IT index shed 17.48 points or 0.3% to 5,378.89.

Bajaj Auto witnessed post results volatility. The stock rose 0.3% to Rs 2776. The scrip had declined as much as 1.8% to a low of Rs 2715 at 14:33 IST. Earlier, the stock held firm ahead of the results. It had gained as much as 3.3% to a high of Rs 2859 at 13:52 IST.

Bajaj Autos net profit rose 24% in December 2006 quarter to Rs 345 crore from Rs 279 crore. Net sales rose 28.3% to Rs 2568.23 crore (Rs 2000.94 crore). The operating profit margin (OPM) was under pressure, declining sharply to 14.1% from 17.89% in December 2005 quarter. Bajaj Autos Q3 results hit the market in mid-afternoon trade.

Reliance Industries lost 1.4% to Rs 1345.50. As per reports, the company had picked up large tracts of land in Delhi for Rs 980 crore for its retail venture.

Infosys shed nearly 1.4% to Rs 2211. Infosys and RIL have a combined weightage of 23.2 % in the Sensex.

Hindalco lost 1.3% to Rs 170, tracking weak global metal prices. Global copper was down 1.7% and zinc 3% on Tuesday.

State Bank of India l(SBI) lost nearly 1% to Rs 1211, after SBI chairman said SBIs loan growth in April-December 2006 period was 16-17% compared with a nearly 30% rise for the banking sector.

Wipro firmed up ahead of its Q3 results, which will hit the market tomorrow morning. The stock gained 1.5% to Rs 637.

TCS dropped 0.5% to Rs 1321.15. In early trade, the stock hit a lifetime high of Rs 1399. After trading hours on Monday, TCS reported a consolidated net profit as per US GAAP of Rs 1104.68 crore in December 2006 quarter, a growth of 11.4% sequentially. The net profit was at the top end of forecasts, between 4.4 - 13.9% growth, by eight analysts. Consolidated revenue as per US GAAP rose 8.4% on a sequential basis, surpassing an expected 6.2 - 8.2% growth of eight analysts.

TCS also announced an agreement with Banco Pichincha, Ecuador's largest private bank, to provide a comprehensive outsourcing solution, in a contract valued at over $ 140 million for five years.

Cement pivotals were in demand on expectations of strong Q3 results. ACC gained 1.4% to Rs 1099, Grasim gained 1.1% to Rs 2875 and Gujarat Ambuja Cements advanced 0.4% to Rs 144.25.

Cellular services major Bharti Airtel gained almost 1% to Rs 668, extending its recent rally on expectation of strong Q3 results.

L&T; advanced 1.3% to Rs 1520. The stock hit a high of Rs 1525.

Housing finance major HDFC lost 2.5% to Rs 1555. It the biggest loser among 30-Sensex constituents.

Hindalco shed 1.3% to Rs 170 tracking weak global copper prices.

Mahindra & Mahindra surged 3% to Rs 983. The company said on Tuesday it would build a new plant worth Rs 2500 crore to make vehicles for its joint venture with Navistar International Corp. M&M; on Tuesday signed an agreement with the Maharashtra state government for the plant which would have an initial capacity of 2,50,000 units. The production at the plant would begin in two years.

CMC spurted 23% to Rs 1119. The stock rose for the second day in a row after it reported strong Q3 results on Saturday (13 January 2007).

HCL Tech gained 1.3% to Rs 638 after it reported a stronger-than-expected 14.4% sequential growth in consolidated net profit as per US GAAP in Q2 December 2006 to Rs 286.20 crore. Revenue rose 6.2% to Rs 1465.10 crore. Revenue growth was within market expectation between 3.3 - 7.9% growth.

IPCL lost 1.1% to Rs 286. After trading hours on Monday, IPCL reported 78% growth in net profit in December 2006 quarter at Rs 405 crore (Rs 228 crore). Net sales rose 42.6% to Rs 3056 crore (Rs 2143 crore).

Nestle India dropped 4.4% to Rs 1162. The company said late on Monday that the Rs 43.23 crore from its share premium account will be given to shareholders. Also, Rs 43.09 crore from its general reserve account will be paid to shareholders as a special dividend. The scheme is subject to regulatory approvals.

Cairn India rose nearly 1% to Rs 142.45 extending Mondays surge. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation said on Monday it will announce by the end of this week plans to build a pipeline to transport crude oil from Cairn India oilfields in Rajasthan. "We are discussing various options and whosoever will build the pipeline will recover the cost by sale of crude," R.S. Sharma, Chairman, told reporters on the sidelines of an energy conference. Separately, Cairn India said it is actively discussing with the Government of India and other parties, including ONGC and ONGC's subsidiary MRPL, regarding arrangements for crude from its Rajasthan oil fields and is yet to reach an agreement.

RCF jumped 10.6% to Rs 46.30 after the company today said it will unveil Q3 results on 31 January 2007.

Batliboi rose 1.1% to Rs 113.50. Batliboi reported a surge in net profit in December 2006 quarter to Rs 3.95 crore (Rs 1.69 crore). Net sales rose 42.8% to Rs 36.23 crore (Rs 25.36 crore).

Lumax Auto Technologies settled at Rs 110.70 on NSE compared to IPO price of Rs 75. The stock debuted at Rs 80 compared to the IPO price of Rs 75. The stock also hit a low of Rs 75 and a high of Rs 143. As many as 72.4 lakh shares changed hands in the counter on NSE.

Areva T&D; India ended flat at Rs 997.90. The power transmission equipment maker said it secured three orders of total worth Rs 252 crore.

Dalmia Cement Bharat rose 1.2% to Rs 423.50, after the company reported a net profit of Rs 64.84 crore in December 2006 quarter compared to a net profit of Rs 11.72 crore in December 2005 quarter. Net sales rose to Rs 231.05 crore from Rs 138.90 crore.

Prism Cement jumped 10% to Rs 41.60, after it reported a net profit of Rs 50.09 crore in December 2006 quarter compared to a net profit of Rs 3.35 crore in December 2005 quarter. Net sales rose to R