Mumbai, Dec. 12 -- The key equity benchmarks traded with minor gains in the morning trade. The Nifty traded above the 26,000 level. Metal shares extended gains for three consecutive trading session.

At 10:30 ST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, added 177.22 points or 0.24% to 84,995.35. The Nifty 50 index rose 108.40 points or 0.42% to 26,006.95.

In the broader market, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index rose 0.66% and the S&P BSE Small-Cap index added 0.53%.

The market breadth was strong. On the BSE, 2,469 shares rose and 1,169 shares fell. A total of 211 shares were unchanged.

Buzzing Index:

The Nifty Metal index rose 0.98% to 10,258.90. The index added 1.44% in the three consecutive trading session.

Hindustan Copper (up 3.61%), Hin...