The BSE benchmark Sensex gained over 79 points in early trade today on emergence of buying by funds and retailers at existing lower levels amid a firming Asian trend.The 30-share barometer rose by 79.18 points, or 0.42 per cent, to 19,094.32. The index had lost 316.55 points in the previous session.Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty moved up by 20.95 points, or 0.56 per cent, to 5,782.30.Meanwhile, in Asia, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose by 0.56 per cent, while Japan's Nikkei up by 0.17 per cent in early trade. The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.84 per cent higher in yesterday's trade.