Mumbai, March 21 -- The key equity indices traded with major gains in early trade, following positive global market cues. The Nifty traded above the 22,000 level. Metal, PSU bank and media stocks advanced while FMCG, pharma and auto shares declined.

At 09:27 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was up 555.94 points or 0.77% to 72,648.77. The Nifty 50 index added 172.35 points or 0.79% to 22,011.45.

The broader market outperformed the frontline indices. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index gained 1.49% and the S&P BSE Small-Cap index added 1.57%.

The market breadth was strong. On the BSE, 2,311 shares rose and 382 shares fell. A total of 100 shares were unchanged.

Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth Rs 2,599.19 crore, wh...