The Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange rose 53 points, or 0.3 per cent, to 17,989, in early trade, today, on continued capital inflows by foreign funds, amid hopes of strong fourth quarter corporate earnings. After paring its initial gains, the Sensex stood 19 points, or 0.1 percent in the green, at 17,955, a short while ago.Key stock indices in Japan, Indonesia, China, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan were trading mixed, today. Over in the US, the Dow Jones Industrial Average had gained 0.4 per cent, overnight.