Mumbai, Dec. 31 -- The key equity indices continued to trade in positive territory with moderate gains in morning trade. Trading sentiment stayed positive amid thin year-end volumes and absence of strong domestic triggers. The Nifty traded above the 26,000 level.

Metal shares extended their rally into a third straight session.

At 10:25 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex advanced 166.92 points or 0.20% to 84,842.00. The Nifty 50 index rose 66.15 points or 0.26% to 26,007.00.

The broader market outperformed the frontline indices. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index added 0.55% and the S&P BSE Small-Cap index jumped 0.71%.

The market breadth was strong. On the BSE, 2,552 shares rose and 1,081 shares fell. A total of 219 shares were uncha...