Mumbai, Oct. 13 -- The key equity benchmarks traded with modest gains in early afternoon trade, supported by easing bond yields, a strengthening rupee and a decline in Brent crude prices. Investors remained focused on September-quarter earnings, with the Nifty trading above the 22,500 level. Market participants will monitor global cues, key US inflation data, the ongoing September-quarter earnings season and foreign institutional investor (FII) flows. Realty shares extended gains for the third consecutive trading session.

At 12:30 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex jumped 536.23 points or 0.75% to 72,429.85. The Nifty 50 index rose 160.85 points or 0.72% to 22,524.20.

In the broader market, the BSE 150 Midcap Index rose 0.14% ...