The BSE benchmark index Sensex on Monday gained 218 points in early trade today on sustained buying by funds and retailers amid a firming trend in Asian markets.

The 30-share index, which had gained over 741 points in last four trading sessions, shot up by 218.01 points, or 1.24 per cent, to 17,822.97 with all sectoral indices gaining up to 2.13 per cent.

The wide-based Nifty of the National Stock Exchange moved up by 59.60 points, or 1.12 per cent, to 5,385.45.

Brokers said sustained buying by funds and retailers amid firming trend on other Asian bourses following strong gains on Wall Street last week after robust US jobs data mainly boosted the trading sentiment.

In Asia, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose by 1.13 per cent and Japan's Nikkei Index by 1.05 per cent in early trade today.

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The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended higher by 1.23 per cent on Friday's trade.