Mumbai, April 23 -- The key equity indices traded with decent gains in afternoon trade, supported by improved global sentiment following reassuring comments from US President Donald Trump regarding Fed Chair Jerome Powell and US-China trade relations. The Nifty traded above the 24,250 level after hitting the day's low of 24,119.95 in mid-morning trade.

IT, auto and pharma shares advanced, while consumer durable, PSU bank and private bank shares declined.

At 13:30 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex added 300 points or 0.38% to 79,896.95. The Nifty 50 index rose 94.55 points or 0.39% to 24,261.80.

In the broader market, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index rose 0.53% and the S&P BSE Small-Cap index shed 0.01%.

The market breadth was nega...