Mumbai, Dec. 17 -- The key equity barometers traded with modest cuts in the early afternoon trade as investors assessed mixed cues from global markets and inconclusive U.S. jobs data, which failed to provide clarity on the interest-rate outlook. The Nifty traded below the 25,800 level. Realty shares extended losses for the third consecutive trading session.

At 12:30 ST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, fell 229.28 points or 0.27% to 84,450.58. The Nifty 50 index lost 67.50 points or 0.26% to 25,789.95.

The broader market underperformed the benchmark indices. the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index fell 0.37% and the S&P BSE Small-Cap index slipped 0.52%.

The market breadth was negative. On the BSE, 1,424 shares rose and 2,445 shares fell. A ...