Mumbai: The BSE benchmark sensex rose further by 82 points in early trade on sustained buying by funds and retail investors following RBI's decision to cut cash reserve ratio (CRR).

The 30-share index, which had gained 244.04 points in the previous session, moved up further by 82.34 points, or 0.48 per cent, to 17,078.11 with all sectoral indices trading in the positive.

The wide-based National Stock Exchange Nifty Index moved up by 22.70 points, or 0.44 per cent to 5,150.05 points.

Brokers said sustained buying by funds and retailers amid firming trend on the other Asian bourses mainly influenced the trading sentiment.

In the Asian region, Japan's Nikkei Index rose by 0.97 per cent in morning trade today.