Mumbai, Oct. 23 -- The headline equity indices traded with modest gains in mid-afternoon trade, supported by robust quarterly earnings and renewed optimism over festive season demand. Investor sentiment was further lifted by recent tax cuts and policy measures, fuelling expectations that corporate profits will strengthen in the second half of FY26.

Nifty traded above the 25,900 level. Realty shares advanced after declining in the past trading session.

At 14:27 ST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex rallied 256.25 points or 0.30% to 84,683.29. The Nifty 50 index rose 59.75 points or 0.23% to 25,928.35.

In the broader market, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index rose 0.21% and the S&P BSE Small-Cap index fell 0.17%.

The market breadth was neg...