Mumbai : The BSE benchmark Sensex recovered by over 48 points in early trade on Thursday, after two sessions of losses, on selective buying by funds and retailers at prevailing levels.

The 30-share barometer, which has lost over 375 points in the past two sessions, rose by 48.32 points, or 0.17 per cent, to 17,270.46, with IT, consumer durables and capital goods sector leading the recovery.

The wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty also moved up by 15.10 points, or 0.29 per cent, to 5,249.50.

Brokers said emergence of buying by funds and retail investors at index-related stocks helped Sensex to trade in the positive zone.

Meanwhile, in Asian region, Japan’s Nikkei rose by 0.39 per cent, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index was being quoted 0.73 per cent lower in early trade on Thursday.