The BSE benchmark Sensex recovered by over 70 points in early trade today on selective buying by funds and retail investors.The 30-share index, which had lost 57 points in the previous session, recovered by 71 points, or 0.45 per cent, at 15,954 in early trade.The wide-based National Stock Exchange Nifty index moved up by 14 points, or 0.3 per cent, to 4,764.Brokers said fresh buying by funds and retail investors at selective counters, having strong fundamentals, helped Sensex post gains.Sentiments, however, remained cautious ahead of corporate results of the third quarter ended December.Meanwhile, among other Asian indices, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose by 0.14 per cent but Japan's Nikkei shed 0.52 per cent in morning trade today. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.17 per cent higher yesterday.