Mumbai: The benchmark BSE Sensex rose about 59 points in early trade Wednesday on increased buying by funds and retail investors amid a mixed trend in other Asian markets.

The 30-share index moved up by 58.90 points, or 0.23 percent, to 25,427.80 with stocks of power, metals, IT, PSUs, capital goods and realty sectors, leading the gains.

The index had gained 337.58 points in the previous session as fall in global crude oil prices eased inflation concerns.

Similarly, the National Stock Exchange index Nifty was up by 5.25 points, or 0.07 percent, to 7,585.45.

Brokers said buying by funds and retail investors and covering-up of pending short positions by speculators ahead of tomorrow's monthly expiry in the derivatives segment, led to the rise in stock prices.

Among other Asian markets, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose 0.24 percent, while Japan's Nikkei was down 0.51 percent in early trade today.

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.70 percent down in yesterday's trade.--PTI