Benchmark Nifty snapped its two-day losing streak by finishing marginally up in a range-bound trading session on bargain hunting amid buying in pharma and energy counters supported by positive global cues.
Substantial profit-booking was witnessed in realty, auto, infra and PSU bank segments.
Overseas, Asian markets ended higher as investors turned their attention to the US Federal Reserve's annual Symposium in Jackson Hole at the end of the week.
European stocks broke a three-day losing stranglehold, building on gains in other markets, boosted by signs of a global economic recovery and rising commodity prices.
The NSE Nifty reclaimed the 9,800 mark briefly, but gave up part of the gains due to profit-booking before ending at 9,765.55, up 11.20 points, or 0.11 per cent.
It saw an intra-day movement of about 75.85 points.
Sector-wise, pharma gained 0.90 per cent, energy 0.37 per cent and financial service 0.17 per cent.
Selling was witnessed in realty, auto, infra and PSU bank indices.
Major index gainers were Dr Reddy's 2.75 per cent, BPCL 2.53 per cent, IOC 2.42 per cent, Lupin 2.27 per cent and Sun Pharma 2.15 per cent.
Losers included NTPC 2.50 per cent, Hero MotoCorp 2.11 per cent, Eicher Motors 2.08 per cent and Bank of Baroda 1.94 per cent.
Market breadth heavily weighed towards the negative zone. A total of 1,132 scrips declined and 542 advanced while 73 remained unchanged.
Total securities that hit their price bands were 113.
Turnover in the cash segment declined to Rs 23,680.89 crore, from Rs 24,708.24 crore yesterday.
A total of 11,587.48 lakh shares changed hands in 91,04,213 trades.
The market capitalisation of listed firms on the NSE stood at Rs 1,27,34,307 crore.
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