Mumbai, Nov. 13 -- The key equity benchmarks traded lower in afternoon trade as rising crude oil prices and negative global cues weighed on investor sentiment. Brent crude climbed amid fading hopes of a near-term resolution to the Iran conflict, while rising US Treasury yields strengthened the dollar and heightened concerns over further Federal Reserve rate hikes. Sentiment also remained fragile following Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's sudden resignation, which renewed uncertainty over the artificial intelligence sector. The Nifty hovered above the 25,100 mark, with selling pressure across sectors. Cement stocks were among the notable decliners.

At 13:30 IST, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 448.22 points, or 0.55% at 81,462.79. The Nifty 50 index...