Mumbai, May 5 -- The frontline indices traded with modest gains in early afternoon trade, driven by easing global trade tensions, sustained foreign inflows, and a continued increase in India's foreign exchange reserves, which have increased for the eighth consecutive week. Nifty traded tad above the 24,450 mark.

Metal shares advanced after declining in the past three consecutive trading sessions.

At 12:30 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, gained 264.73 points or 0.33% to 80,766.72. The Nifty 50 index rose 112.65 points or 0.46% to 24,457.30.

The broader market outperformed the frontline indices. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index rallied 1.15% and the S&P BSE Small-Cap index gained 0.89%.

The market breadth was strong. On the BSE, ...