The BSE benchmark Sensex extended gains for the fourth-straight day by adding nearly 43 points to trade above 20,000 level in early trade on Thursday on sustained foreign funds inflow amid a firming trend in the Asian region.

The 30-share barometer rose by 42.66 points, or 0.21 per cent, to 20,032.84 with stocks of IT, Teck and Auto leading the gains.

The index had gained almost 415 points in the previous three sessions. Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index, Nifty moved up by 12.30 points, or 0.20 per cent, to 6081.60.

Brokers said sentiments remained firm on sustained foreign funds inflow amid a firming trend in the Asian region following overnight fresh record gains at the US market.

Meanwhile in Asia, Japan’s Nikkei up by 0.67 per cent in early trade.

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.32 per cent higher in Wednesday’s trade.