Mumbai, Sept. 15 -- The headline equity benchmarks traded near the flatline with negative points in morning trade as investors stayed cautious ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve's meeting, where it is expected to cut interest rates. Market mood was also supported by hopes of progress in trade talks between India and the U.S.

The Nifty traded below the 25,100 level. IT stocks declined after gaining in the previous trading session.

At 10:30 ST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, fell 38.33 points or 0.05% to 81,876.04. The Nifty 50 index shed 24.05 points or 0.01% to 25,089.95.

The broader market outperformed the frontline indices. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index rose 0.18% and the S&P BSE Small-Cap index added 0.49%.

The market breadth ...