Mumbai, Jan. 27 -- The headline equity benchmarks traded with minor gains in early afternoon trade, buoyed by news that India and the European Union had clinched a landmark free trade agreement (FTA) after 18 years of stalled negotiations. Investor focus remained on key quarterly earnings from Asian Paints, Vodafone Idea, and Motilal Oswal Financial Services, while traders also monitored movements in the rupee and global geopolitical developments.

The Nifty traded above 25,100 level. Oil & Gas shares advanced after declining for previous consecutive trading session.

At 12:28 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex added 122.19 points or 0.15% to 81,658.93. The Nifty 50 index rose 66.40 points or 0.27% to 25,113.95.

In the broader...