Mumbai: Paring all earlier losses, the BSE benchmark index Sensex recovered by nearly 42 points in early trade on covering-up of short positions by speculators for end of monthly expiry in the derivatives segment. Brokers said a firming trend on other Asian bourses after overnight gains on the U.S. market amid strong corporate results and hopes for monetary easing, also buoyed the trading sentiment in Mumbai. The 30-share barometer, which had lost 56 points on Wednesday, rose by 41.96 points or 0.24 percent, to 17,193.25, with realty, consumer durables, IT, auto and metal sector stocks leading the recovery. The wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty also moved up by 13.60 points or 0.26 percent, to 5,215.60. Covering-up of pending short positions by participants Thursday being the last session of monthly expiry in the derivatives segment and selective buying by funds, helped Sensex to trade in the positive zone, they added. In the Asian region, the Japan's Nikkei rose by 0.05 percent, while the Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was up by 0.57 percent in early trade. The U.S. Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.69 percent higher in Wednesday's trade.