The BSE benchmark Sensex rose by almost 53 points in early trade on Monday, extending its previous session's rally on sustained buying by funds and retailers largely on expectations of further economic reforms by the government.

The 30-share barometer, which had gained 183.24points on Friday, rose further by 52.65 points, or 0.28%, to 18,815.39.

Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty moved up by 9.75 points, or 0.17%, to 5,713.05.

The trading sentiment remained firm on continued buying by funds and retail investors mostly on hopes that the government will bring in more economic reforms to boost the economy, market experts said.

They said, however, profit-booking in some counters by speculators and absence of cues from the Asian region as most of the markets are closed for a public holiday, capped the gains.

Meanwhile, Japan's Nikkei was down by 0.62% in early trade on Monday.

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