Mid-day market update - Bulls take U-turn, Nifty near 24,700, Sensex off day's high

The Sensex and Nifty shed early gains and traded with minor gains in the afternoon, weighed down by financial and metal stocks. The India VIX rose 3%, reflecting increased caution among investors. By around noon, the Sensex was up 249.40 points at 81,435.84, while the Nifty gained 69.40 points at 24,753.30. Market breadth remained negative, with 1,607 stocks advancing, 1,735 declining, and 125 unchanged.