Mumbai, Feb. 18 -- The key equity indices traded with minor losses in the early afternoon trade. Investors tracked crude oil prices, movements in silver and gold and global cues. Nifty traded near 25,700 level. Metals shares shine after declining in the past trading session.

At 12:25 PM ST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex fell 65.36 points or 0.06% to 83,398.16. The Nifty 50 index declined 16.85 points or 0.07% to 25,707.15.

The broader market outperformed the frontline indices. The BSE 150 MidCap Index added 0.12% and the BSE 250 SmallCap Index rose 0.33%.

The market breadth was positive. On the BSE, 2,101 shares rose and 1,865 shares fell. A total of 185 shares were unchanged.

Derivatives:

The NSE's India VIX, a gauge of th...