Sensex ends at all-time high on Monday

Sensex, which breached the 6700-point mark in early trade, ended 45.57 points up at 6,679.33, a tad higher than the earlier all-time high of 6679.20.

Indian share prices closed 0.69 per cent higher on Monday to a record high as overseas funds stepped up investments in technology stocks, dealers said.

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They said shares rose sharply during early morning trading on overseas fund buying, but by late afternoon domestic funds had sold to lock-in profit and this had capped gains.

The Bombay Stock Exchange's benchmark 30-share index -- Sensex rose 45.57 points to close at 6,679.33, after breaching the key 6,700 level during intra-day trading.

The previous record close of 6,679.20 was set on January 3.

Of the 30 Sensex stocks, 19 stocks gained while 11 lost ground on trading volume of Rs 23.28 billion ($532.11 million).

"Over the short-term, volatility will increase at higher levels. Investors should look at an investment rather than a trading horizon. The long-term trend is however still positive," said a dealer at brokerage Cholamandalam Securities.

Foreign funds have invested some $1.11 billion in local equities since the start of the year, compared to $1 billion during the same period in 2004, according to the Securities and Exchange Board of India.

Technology stocks led the rally. Infosys Technologies rose Rs 65.55 or 3.12 per cent to Rs 2,168.85, while Wipro rose Rs 15.80 or 2.27 per cent to Rs 711.25.

State-run Oil and Natural Gas rose Rs 3.20 or 0.39 per cent to Rs 823.9.