The BSE benchmark Sensex rose by over 98 points in early trade today as stocks of realty and IT sectors led recovery on fresh buying by funds . The 30-share barometer, which had lost 135 points in the previous session, rebounded by 98.07 points, or 0.53 per cent, to 18,675.77. On the similar lines, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index, Nifty moved up by 28.45 points, or 0.50 per cent, to 5676.45.