Mumbai, July 1 -- The key equity benchmark traded with small gains in early afternoon trade, witnessing a volatile session, despite optimism over a potential US-India trade deal and favorable global cues. Focus remained on foreign inflows and the upcoming end of the US tariff reprieve. The Nifty climbed above the 25,500 level. Oil & gas stocks rebound after previous session decline.

At 12:30 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, advanced 75.28 points or 0.09% to 83,681.74. The Nifty 50 index added 24.60 points or 0.10% to 25,540.

The broader market underperformed the frontline indices. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index declined 0.28% and the S&P BSE Small-Cap index fell 0.26%.

The market breadth was negative. On the BSE, 2,003 shares r...