MUMBAI:  The benchmark BSE Sensex gained over 76 points in early trade sustained buying by funds and retail investors, mainly in metals, power, PSUs, capital goods, banking and oil & gas sector stocks.

The 30-share barometer gained 76.30 points, or 0.34 per cent, to 22,705.14. In the previous session, the index had gone up by 351.61 points.

Exchanges remained closed on their last trading session of the previous week on account of "Good Friday".

The National Stock Exchange index Nifty traded higher by 26.10 points, or 0.38 per cent, at 6,805.50.

Brokers said sentiments remained firm on sustained buying on the back of encouraging fourth quarter earnings posted by some bluechip companies which triggering buying.

Stocks of Reliance Industries rose by 11.25, or 1.17 per cent, to Rs 970 as the company reported a marginal rise in net profit to 5,631 crore in the fourth quarter ended March 31, from 5,589 crore a year earlier.

Among other Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei rose by 0.63 per cent in early trade today, while Hong Kong markets remained closed today for a public holiday.