Sensex up 26 points in early trade

The 30-share barometer, which had lost 162.26 points in the previous session, recovered by 26.55 points, or 0.14 per cent, to 18,657.65 in the first five minutes of trade.

Stocks of realty, oil and gas, and metal led the recovery.

Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty was up 10.05 points, or 0.18 per cent, at 5,662.20.

Brokers said fresh buying by funds and retail investors at existing lower levels mainly influenced the trading sentiment.