Mumbai, July 27 -- The key equity benchmarks traded with strong gains in afternoon trade, tracking positive global cues after reports of a pause in U.S.-Iran hostilities over the weekend eased geopolitical concerns and pushed crude oil prices lower. The decline in oil prices improved investor sentiment, boosting buying interest across most sectors. The Nifty traded near the 23,950 mark.

Barring the Oil & Gas index, all sectoral indices on the NSE traded in positive territory.

At 13:30 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex advanced 636.90 points or 0.84% to 76,692.91. The Nifty 50 index rose 182 points or 0.77% to 23,950.70.

The broader market outperformed the frontline indices. The BSE 150 MidCap Index rose 1.08% and the BSE 250...