Amid the tensions at the LAC with China, the third trading day of the mid-week local stock markets opened on the decline on Wednesday. The Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange opened 243.51 points, down 0.63 per cent at 38121.84. The Nifty at the National Stock Exchange fell 0.70 per cent to 79.70 points, to 11237.85. Uncertainty on the macroeconomic front has also led to investor alerts.
In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, everyone's eyes were on the US AstraZeneca company. It was believed that the company would soon prepare the COVID-19 virus vaccine, but the trial paused after one of the volunteers fell ill after taking the vaccine dose. AstraZeneca has banned its last-stage vaccine trial. It resulted in a decline in the U.S. and European stock markets.
The U.S. stock market, the Dow Jones, fell 632 points on Tuesday. The Nasdaq has fallen more than four per cent. Asian markets are also seeing a sharp sell-off. The Nikkei fell 1.50 per cent to 22922. The Shanghai Composite fell 1.30 per cent to 3273. As well as the heavyweight stocks, the shares of Bharti Airtel, HDFC Life, Asian Pets, Cipla and Dr Reddy opened on the green mark today. The ban on the vaccine has also seen a significant impact on the stock market.
New interest rates on PF will be decided in EPFO meeting today
