Mumbai, April 7 -- The key domestic benchmarks traded near flat line in afternoon trade as investors remained cautious amid escalating tensions in West Asia and ahead of the deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump for a potential deal with Iran. However, market participants will track RBI's meeting policy outcome. Nifty traded below 23,000 level.

IT, realty and metal shares advanced while PSU bank, auto and consumer durables shares declined.

At 13:25 ST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex declined 105.84 points or 0.14% to 74,001.01. The Nifty 50 index fell 21.95 points or 0.10% to 22,950.10.

In the broader market, the BSE 150 MidCap Index fell 0.33% and the BSE 250 SmallCap Index rose 0.16%.

The market breadth was strong. On...