The BSE benchmark Sensex today rose over 158 points in early trade on sustained buying by funds and retail investors, mainly in realty, banking, auto and metal sector stocks.

Also, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty, regained the 6,000 points level by surging 41.10 points, or 0.69 per cent, to 6,036.50.

Rising for the second straight session, the BSE's 30-share barometer rose by 158.19 points, or 0.80 per cent, to 19,880.48. In yesterday's session, Sensex had gone up by 30.62 points.

Brokers said the sentiment remained firm on sustained buying by participants after WPI inflation eased to over three years low, giving room for the Reserve Bank to cut interest rates, amid a firming trend in the global markets.

In the Asian region, Japan's Nikkei gained 2.123 per cent to trade at over five-year high as exporters rallied on the yen's sharp slide, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose by 0.39 per cent in early trade today.

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.82 per cent higher yesterday.