Mumbai, Sept. 7 -- The key equity barometers traded with significant losses in the early afternoon trade as a stronger-than-expected US jobs report heightened concerns over a potential Federal Reserve rate hike. Sentiment was further weighed down by elevated crude oil prices and escalating tensions in the Middle East. The Nifty traded below the 23,800 level.

PSU Bank shares witnessed selling pressure for second consecutive trading session.

At 12:25 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex declined 447.84 points or 0.59% to 76,067.59. The Nifty 50 index declined 133.40 points or 0.57% to 23,763.20.

In the broader market, the BSE 150 MidCap Index fell 0.56% and the BSE 250 SmallCap Index rose 0.05%.

The market breadth was negative. ...