Mumbai, Sept. 25 -- The key equity indices traded with moderate gains in mid-afternoon trade supported by easing crude oil prices and a decline in market volatility. The Nifty traded above 23,100 level.

Auto shares advanced after declining in the past trading session.

At 14:25 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex advanced 264.60 points or 0.36% to 73,845.14. The Nifty 50 index added 50.50 points or 0.27% to 23,124.35.

In the broader market, the BSE 150 MidCap Index declined 0.27% and the BSE 250 SmallCap Index rose 0.01%.

The market breadth was negative. On the BSE, 2,059 shares rose and 2,209 shares fell. A total of 241 shares were unchanged.

Buzzing Index:

The Nifty Auto index jumped 0.98% to 26,992.40. The index declined ...