The BSE benchmark Sensex extended gains for the fourth-straight day by rising nearly 144 points in early trade on Thursday on buying by funds and retailers amid a firming Asian trend.

The 30-share barometer rose by 143.72 points, or 0.75 per cent, to 19,323.08 with auto, realty and oil and gas stocks leading the gains.

The index had gained over 448 points in the previous three sessions.

Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty moved up by 40.70 points, or 0.70 per cent, to 5877.60.

Brokers said sustained buying by funds and retailers driven by a firming trend in the Asian region mainly influenced the sentiment.

Both the BSE and the NSE were remained closed on Wednesday on account of ‘Mahavir Jayanti’.

Meanwhile in Asia, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index rose by 0.59 per cent, while Japan’s Nikkei up by 0.32 per cent in the early trade.

However, the US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.29 per cent lower in Wednesday’s trade.