The BSE benchmark Sensex rose by 18 points to 19,405 in late morning deals. Earlier, the Sensex was up by 209 points in early trade today. The 30-share index, which had gained nearly 101 points in the previous session, rose by 209 points to 19,597. The wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty declined by 21 points to 5,882.The rupee rose by 13 paise to 54.12 against the dollar in early trade today on fresh selling of the US currency by exporters.