The BSE Sensex was trading up by over 257 points at 17005 a short while ago. The Sensex recovered by nearly 164 points in opening trade today, with auto stocks leading the rise after Hero Moto Corp posted better-than-expected second quarter earnings.A firming trend on Asian bourses in tandem with overnight gains in the US also buoyed the trading sentiment. The 30-share index which has lost over 334 points in the past two sessions rose by nearly 164 points, to 16,912 in opening trade today.In a similar fashion, the wide-based National Stock Exchange Nifty is also trading 74 points higher. It rose by 48 points, to 5,085.50 in early trade today.