The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex on Thursday gained 170 points in early trade as funds bought heavy weight shares led by Reliance Industries.

The 30-share index, which had gained 113.49 points on Wednesday, rose further by 169.75 points to 14,389.82 on sustained buying by funds influenced by firming global trend.

Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange's Nifty rose by 36.60 points to 4,293.25.

Marketmen said buying activity picked up on reports of a firming global trend after the US Federal Reserve kept interest unchanged at two per cent.