MUMBAI: The benchmark Sensex regained 15,000 points level by gaining over 155 points in early trading on Thursday on the Bombay Stock Exchange on buying by foreign funds in heavy-weight stocks.

The strength in domestic stock markets was on the back of global firmness in stocks.

The BSE-30 share Sensex which had lost 99.26 points on Wednesday, was up by 155.13 points at 15,065.75 in the first five minutes of trading.

Similarly, on the wide-based National Stock Exchange, Nifty gained 43.10 points, or 0.94 per cent at 4,430.25.

Stock brokers said most of the index-related stocks were in the positive zone with sizeable gains, helping the Sensex to regain 15,000 points level.

Cement stocks such as ACC and Gujarat Ambuja Cement remained buyers' fancy on reports of hike in prices of construction materials.

IT bellwether Infosys Technologies was also back in demand after yesterday's fall.