Mumbai - The benchmark BSE Sensex gained over 76 points in early trade today on sustained buying by foreign funds and retail investors amid a firming trend at other Asian bourses and hopes of further push to economic reforms by the government after recent Cabinet expansion.

The 30-share index, which had gained 6.10 points in the previous session, rose by 76.16 points, or 0.27 percent, to 27,950.89 with infrastructure, realty, oil & gas, healthcare, PSU and auto stocks leading the rise.

The NSE Nifty also edged higher by 20.35 points, or 0.24 percent, to 8,364.60.

Brokers said sentiments remained upbeat as foreign funds and retail investors engaged in enlarging positions on expectations of acceleration in economic reforms by the government after the expansion of the Union Cabinet.

Besides, a firming trend at other Asian markets in line with overnight gains on the US markets and falling global crude oil prices, which eased to four-year lows, also bolstered trading sentiments here, they said

Among other Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei rose 0.53 percent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 0.27 percent in early trade today.

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at a new record-high by rising 0.23 percent in yesterday's trade. (PTI)