Mumbai, March 17 -- The key equity barometers continued to trade with moderate gains in mid-morning trade, as concerns over the US government shutdown eased and investors awaited the outcome of the US Fed policy review later this week. The Nifty traded near the 22,500 level. Private bank shares advanced after declining in the previous trading session.

At 11:30 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, advanced 316.84 points or 0.43% to 74,145.75. The Nifty 50 index added 98.30 points or 0.44% to 22,495.50.

In the broader market, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index advanced 0.67% and the S&P BSE Small-Cap index rose 0.50%.

The market breadth was positive. On the BSE, 1,950 shares rose and 1,906 shares fell. A total of 169 shares were unchange...