Mumbai, Sept. 9 -- The key equity benchmarks traded with decent gains in mid-morning amid positive global cues. Investor sentiment stayed upbeat, supported by recent GST reforms and rate-cut expectations from the U.S. Federal Reserve next week. The Nifty traded around the 24,850 mark.

Pharma shares advanced after declining in the past trading session.

At 11:25 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex gained 248.85 points or 0.31% to 81,036.15. The Nifty 50 index rose 77.65 points or 0.31% to 24,850.80.

The broader market underperformed the frontline indices. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index rose 0.11% and the S&P BSE Small-Cap index jumped 0.17%.

The market breadth was positive. On the BSE,1,979 shares rose and 1,833 shares fell. A total...