Sensex up 55 points in early trade

The benchmark BSE Sensex recovered by almost 55 points in early trade today on the back of gains in the stocks of realty, metal, capital goods, banking and oil and gas sectors amid a mixed trend in other Asian markets.

The 30-share barometer, which has lost 875.41 points in the past five sessions, rose 54.65 points, or 0.26 per cent, to 20,552.90 in early trade.

On similar lines, the National Stock Exchange index Nifty rose 13.75 points, or 0.23 per cent, at 6,087.45.

Brokers said selective buying by funds and retailers, driven by a mixed trend in the Asian region following overnight gains in the US markets, helped trading sentiment to improve.

In the Asian region, while most markets are closed for the Chinese New Year, Japan’s Nikkei was up 0.15 per cent in early trade.

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.70 per cent higher in yesterday’s trade.