The benchmark BSE Sensex on Tuesday rose by nearly 56 points in early trade, extending gains for the third consecutive session, on sustained buying by funds amid a firm trend on other Asian bourses.
The 30-share index, which had gained 392.41 points in the last two sessions, rose further by 55.89 points, or 0.26 per cent, to 21,156.92 with capital goods, realty, IT, oil & gas and consumer durables sector stocks leading the rise.
The wide-based Nifty of the National Stock Exchange moved up by 16.45 points, or 0.26 per cent, to 6,300.95.
Brokers said a firming trend on other Asian bourses following overnight gains at the US markets in response to another set of upbeat consumer data mainly buoyed the trading sentiment here.
