Mumbai: The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex gained over 31 points in early trade on October 25 on the back of covering-up of short positions by participants following monthly expiry in the derivatives segment.

The 30-share index, which had shed 83.42 points in the previous session on October 23, moved up by 31.51 points, or 0.16 percent, to 18,741.53 with oil and gas, metals and realty sector stocks leading the recovery.

Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty was up 6.05 points, or 0.10 percent, to 5,697.45.

The markets remained closed on October 24 on account of Dussehra.

Brokers said covering-up of pending short positions by participants as today is the last session of current month’s expiry in the derivatives segment influenced the trading sentiments.

Besides, a slightly better trend at Asian bourses on signs of recovery in China, also supported the recovery, they said.

In Asia, Hong Kong market gained 0.17 percent, while Japan’s Nikkei Index was up by 0.34 percent.

The U.S. dow Jones Industrial Average, however, ended 0.19 percent lower in October 24 trade.