The BSE benchmark Sensex gained 55 points to trade at 20,052 in early trade today on buying by funds and retailers. Realty, capital goods, power, healthcare, consumer durables and oil and gas sector stocks were major gainers. The index had gained almost 1,758 points in the previous five straight sessions. The wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty moved up by 19 points to 5,932.Brokers said, sustained buying by funds as well as retail investors ahead of industrial production or IIP data for July month, to be released later in the day, mainly influenced the trading sentiments.In the Asian region, Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose by 0.35 per cent, while Japan's Nikkei was down by 0.29 per cent in early trade.The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.89 per cent higher in yesterday's trade.