Mumbai, March 20 -- The key equity indices extended gains and traded near the day's high in afternoon trade. The Nifty traded above the 21,850 mark after hitting the day's low of 21,710.20 in mid-morning trade. Oil & gas, auto and realty shares advanced while metal, consumer durables and pharma stocks corrected.

At 13:30 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was up 253.40 points or 0.35% to 72,265.45. The Nifty 50 index rose 72.95 points or 0.33% to 21,890.40.

In the broader market, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index shed 0.15% and the S&P BSE Small-Cap index declined 0.07%.

The market breadth was weak. On the BSE, 1,730 shares rose and 1,955 shares fell. A total of 126 shares were unchanged.

Gainers & Losers:

Eicher Motors (up 4.60%)...