The BSE benchmark Sensex gained nearly 142 points in opening trade on Wednesday on the emergence of buying by funds, driven by a firming trend on other Asian bourses.

The 30-share index of the Bombay Stock Exchange, which has lost over 665 points in the previous three sessions, recovered by 141.86 points, or 0.77 percent, to 18,553.48 in opening trade, with select blue-chips leading the recovery.

Echoing the sentiment, the wide-based National Stock Exchange Nifty index edged up by 43.90 points, or 0.79 percent, to 5,570.05.

Brokers attributed the early recovery in stocks to fresh buying by funds and retail investors, driven by a firming trend on other Asian bourses.

In the Asian region, Japan’s Nikkei index was trading 0.01 percent higher, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose by 0.36 percent in early trade on Wednesday.

However, the US Dow Jones Industrial Averaged ended 0.47 percent lower in Tuesday’s trade on deepening global concerns over the eurozone debt crisis.