The BSE benchmark Sensex today gained over 143 points to 19,724.38 in early trade on sustained buying by funds amid a firming Asian trend. The 30-share barometer rose by 143.57 points with all the sectoral indices, led by realty and metal, trading in the positive zone with gains up to 1.25 per cent. The index had gained 154 points in yesterday's trade.The wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty moved up by 41 points to 5,992.In the Asian region, Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose by 1.18 per cent. The stock market in Japan is closed today.