The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex rose during midsession on Thursday, wiping off early losses to trade higher by 50 points, influenced by a better start in Europe.

The Sensex, which lost over 140 points at the outset, rose by 49.80 points at 15,953.63 at 1330 hrs as heavyweights like Reliance Industries, ICICI Bank, Larsen & Toubro and BHEL recorded handsome gains.

The 50-share National Stock Exchange index Nifty also rose by 19.95 points at 4,714.10 at the same time.

Marketmen said buying picked up at midsession after a better start in European stock markets.