The BSE benchmark index Sensex today recovered nearly 42 points in early trade on covering-up of short positions by speculators for end of monthly expiry in the derivatives segment.The 30-share barometer, which had lost 56 points yesterday, rose 41.96 points to 17,193.25.The wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty also moved up by 13.60 points to 5,215.60.In Asia, the Japan's Nikkei rose by 0.05 per cent, while the Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was up by 0.57 per cent in early trade today. The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.69 per cent higher in yesterday's trade.