The BSE benchmark Sensex recovered by over 45 points to 18,516.50 in early trade today on fresh buying by funds and retailers after five sessions of losses due to profit-booking. The 30-share barometer lost over 431 points in the past five trading days.Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty moved up by 8 points to 5,639.Meanwhile, in Asia, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose 0.45 per cent, while Japan's Nikkei gained 1.88 per cent. The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.23 per cent lower in yesterday's trade as fiscal woes continued to dent confidence.