Paring some of its initial gains, the Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange stood 68 points, or 0.3 percent in positive territory, at 20,997 in afternoon trade, a short while ago. Earlier, in morning deals, the Sensex had climbed 100 points, or 0.5 percent, to trade above the 21,000-level, at 21,029 on continued buying by funds, amid firm Asian bourses. Stock markets in Japan, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan had gained between 0.3 percent and 1 percent, today. The US Dow Jones Industrial Average had added 0.7 per cent, to close at a fresh all-time high in yesterday's trade.