Mumbai, Aug. 21 -- The key equity indices gave up all gains and traded near the flat line in afternoon trade as ongoing Iran rhetoric and rising crude prices kept the sentiment in check.

The expiry of weekly Sensex derivatives contracts on the BSE also kept traders active, with position adjustments and rollover-related activity likely to influence intraday volatility.

The Nifty traded below the 24,250 level. Metals, realty and bank stocks advanced while pharma, FMCG and auto shares declined.

At 13:23 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was up 6.82 points or 0.01% to 77,544.54. The Nifty 50 index added 6 points or 0.02% to 24,237.85.

In the broader market, the BSE 150 MidCap Index added 0.08% and the BSE 250 SmallCap Index ro...