The BSE benchmark Sensex recovered 161 points to 18,396 in early trade today due to fresh buying by funds and retail investors.Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty moved up by 46 points to 5,387. Brokers said, sentiments turned better after funds and retail investors made fresh purchases at selective stocks, available at attractive levels. In other Asian markets, Hong Kong's Hang Sengindex shed 0.99 per cent, while Japan's Nikkei down 0.74 per cent in early trade. The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.16 per cent higher in yesterday's trade.