Sensex up 50 points in early trade

The BSE benchmark index Sensex today rose almost 50 points in early trade, extending gains for the second straight session on sustained buying by funds amid further recovery in in the rupee and a firming trend in the Asian region.
The 30-share index, which had gained 114.71 points in the previous session, rose further by 49.65 points, or 0.26 per cent, to 19,489.13 points, led by rise in realty, banking and power sector stocks.
The National Stock Exchange index Nifty moved up by 15.85 points, or 0.27 per cent, to 5,874.85 points.
Brokers said sustained buying by funds driven by further recovery in the rupee after Sebi and the RBI took steps to curb volatility in the currency and a firm trend in other Asian bourses mainly boosted the trading sentiment.

In Asia, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose by 0.77 per cent, while Japan's Nikkei by 0.12 per cent in early trade.
The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.50 per cent higher yesterday.