Mumbai, Dec. 18 -- Key equity benchmarks recovered from early losses to trade marginally higher by mid-morning, though market sentiment remained cautious as the indices headed toward a fourth straight session of weakness. Uncertainty over a potential U.S.-India trade agreement continued to dampen investor risk appetite. However, sentiment may find some relief from a rebound in the rupee and early indications of renewed foreign investor inflows.

The Nifty traded above the 25,850 mark. Meanwhile, media shares extended losses for the second consecutive trading session.

At 11:30 ST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, rose 85 points or 0.10% to 84,644.65. The Nifty 50 index added 35.50 points or 0.13% to 25,852.65.

In the broader mark...