Mumbai, March 5 -- The key domestic equity benchmarks traded with substantial gains in the afternoon, supported by improved investor sentiment amid expectations of a possible de-escalation in the Iran-Israel-US conflict. The rebound follows a sharp sell-off in previous sessions triggered by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

The Nifty traded above the 24,600 level. Realty shares advanced after declining in the past three consecutive trading sessions.

At 12:26 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, surged 435.56 points or 0.54% to 79,551.60. The Nifty 50 index jumped 151.70 points or 0.62% to 24,639.50.

The broader market, the BSE 150 MidCap Index added 0.58% and the BSE 250 SmallCap Index rallied 0.45%.

The ma...