Mumbai, Sept. 3 -- The key equity indices traded with small gains in the early afternoon trade, amid strong services PMI data. Investors closely monitoring a crucial Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council meeting, which is widely expected to announce rate cuts on a range of goods. The Nifty traded above the 24,600 level.

Consumer durables stocks jumped for fifth consecutive trading session.

At 12:25 ST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex added 162.22 points or 0.20% to 80,320.41. The Nifty 50 index advanced 62.70 points or 0.26% to 24,641.60.

The broader market outperformed the frontline indices. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index rose 0.42% and the S&P BSE Small-Cap index added 0.86%.

The market breadth was strong. On the BSE, 2,530 shares...