Mumbai, Oct. 27 -- The key equity benchmarks ended near flat line on Tuesday, as investors remained cautious amid the NSE derivatives monthly expiry and the ongoing Q2 earnings season. The Nifty settled below the 22,750 mark, reflecting a lack of strong buying interest in frontline stocks.

Media, realty and pharma shares advanced while private bank and IT stocks declined.

As per provisional closing data, the S&P BSE Sensex declined 8.08 points or 0.01% to 73,598.67. The Nifty 50 index fell 3.45 points or 0.02% to 22,749.75.

The broader market outperformed the frontline indices. The Nifty MidCap 150 Index advanced 1.01% and the Nifty SmallCap 250 Index rose 2.01%.

The market breadth was strong. On the BSE, 2,938 shares rose and 1,381 s...