The Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange rose 142 points, or 0.7 per cent, to 19,313, in early trade, today, on sustained buying by funds, ahead of second quarter GDP data, and amid positive regional bourses. After the release of the GDP data, the Sensex remained firm, and stood 151 points, or 0.8 percent in the green, at 19,322 in afternoon deals, a short while ago. The 30-share Sensex had gained over 665 points in the previous three trading sessions.Key stock indices in Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore had gained between 0.4 percent and 1.2 percent, today. The US Dow Jones Industrial Average had ended 0.3 per cent higher in yesterday's trade. Rupee strengthened by 36 paise to 54.48 against the US dollar in early trade today at the Interbank Foreign Exchange on selling of American currency by exporters and banks. The rupee had gained 61 paise, its biggest gain in two months at 54.84 in yesterday's trade.