The 30-share barometer BSE Sensex, on Friday, hit a five-week high of 18,736.97 before closing the week on a flat note on the back of profit booking amid strong worldwide trends.

Chasing rally in Asian scrips, The Sensex opened on a sturdy note and hit a five-week peak of 18,736.97 points.

Afterward, profit booking at subsisting higher levels, however, pulled the Sensex down to 18,486.45 in the end, a fall of mere 3.31 points.

IIFL Head of Research (India Private Clients) Amar Ambani stated, "After four straight days of solid gains, the Indian markets ended flat on Friday as investors decided to take a pause after the post-Budget rally."

During the last four trading sessions, the Sensex gained 857.35 points (4.86%).

In contrast, the broad-based Nifty ended on a positive note at 5,538.75 as against Thursday's closuree of 5,536.20.

Brokers attributed early increase to anticipations of financial segment reforms as the administration yesterday authorized the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2011.

In spite of sturdy worldwide signals, operators plus retail investors chose to book profits on fears over strengthening global crude oil rates that were trading above $102 per barrel in London on Friday.

The major losers in the Sensex pack comprised L&T, which declined 3.08%, JP Asso dropped 2.04%, BHEL lost 1.94%, TCS dipped 1.37%, Bharti Airtel fell 1.19% and Maruti Suzuki remained down by 1.09%.

But, the major gainers list comprised Tata Power, Hero Honda, Bajaj Auto, HDFC, REL Infra, Jindal Steel and HDFC Bank.

The overall stock market breadth was pessimistic as 1,484 stocks ended with losses against 1,391 that ended with gains on the BSE.