Mumbai, Feb. 5 -- The key equity benchmarks traded sideways in mid-morning trade, as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) began its three-day monetary policy meeting. Investors remain cautious, awaiting a widely anticipated rate cut aimed at boosting growth. With global trade uncertainties in the backdrop, all attention is focused on the RBI's decision, which is set to be announced on Friday. The Nifty traded near the 23,750 mark. Realty shares advanced after declining for the previous consecutive trading sessions.

At 11:30 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, declined 120.05 points or 0.15% to 78,460.17. The Nifty 50 index rose 11.35 points or 0.05% to 23,750.60.

The broader market outperformed the headline indices. The S&P BSE Mid...