Benchmark indices expanded their gains, with the Sensex nearing 31,000-mark, while the Nifty was placed above 9500-mark.

The Sensex is up 203.04 points at 30953.07, while the Nifty was up 55.00 points at 9564.75. The market breadth was healthy as 1,664 shares advanced against a decline of 715 shares, while 135 shares were unchanged.