MUMBAI: The benchmark Sensex recovered about 46 points to end near record highs powered by gains in bluechips, led by banking, consumer durables and auto stocks, on buying by foreign funds and a drop in global oil prices.

The 30-share index after opening firm at 26,322.66, improved to touch day's high of 26,464.80 before settling with net gain of 45.82 points, or 0.17 per cent, at 26,360.11.

Intra day, it had slipped to a low of 26,262.52 due to selling in metal, realty, IT and power scrips.

Yesterday, Sensex shed over 106 points on profit-booking.

It touched record close level of 26,420.67 on August 19.

"Profit booking and consolidation continued at higher levels. Global cues were mixed, however, lower crude oil prices boosted overall market sentiment," said Nidhi Saraswat, Senior Research Analyst, Bonanza Portfolio.

The 50-share NSE Nifty recovered 15.80 points, or 0.20 per cent, to close at 7,891.10 after shuttling between 7,919.65 and 7,855.95. It had shed 22.20 points.

The recovery in Sensex and Nifty was supported by gains in SBI that climbed 2.27 per cent. Bajaj Auto surged over 3 per cent and M&M rose 1.34 per cent among 15 Sensex gainers.