Mumbai, Aug. 20 -- The key equity barometers traded with modest gains in the early afternoon trade supported by positive global cues, a stronger rupee and short covering after the recent seven-session losing streak. 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 above the 24,200 level. Media shares advanced after declining in the past trading session.

At 12:30 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, jumped 523.64 points or 0.41% to 77,432.85. The Nifty 50 index rose 136.55 points or 0.57% to 24,213.10.

In the broader market, the BSE 150 MidCap Index added 0.81% and the BSE 250 Sm...