Business highlights

New Delhi, Mar 13 () Following are the top business stories at 1846 hours:

DEL108 BIZ-LD STOCKSMarkets test investors' nerves with wild swings;Sensex ends 1,325 pts up after hitting lower circuitMumbai: Markets took investors on a gut-churning ride on Friday, with trading being halted for the first time in 12 years as benchmarks plunged over 10 per cent in opening trade, before staging an emphatic comeback powered by banking, finance and energy stocks.DEL116 BIZ-RUPEE-CLOSERupee rebounds 48 paise to 73.80 a dollar on RBI assuranceMumbai: Rebounding from its record low of 74.50, the rupee traded higher by 48 paise at 73.80 against the US currency on Friday after the Reserve Bank's assurance that steps will be taken to maintain sufficient liquidity in the panick-stricken currency market.

DEL138 BIZ-TRADEExports post first rise in 7 months, grow by 2.91 pc in FebNew Delhi: India's exports rose for the first time in seven months in February growing by 2.91 per cent to USD 27.65 billion, according to the commerce ministry data released on Friday.

DEL88 CAB-FM-STOCKSGovt, RBI closely monitoring markets: FMNew Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said the government and the Reserve Bank are closely monitoring the stock market, which is facing intense volatility amid mounting coronavirus fears.

DEL46 BIZ-LD SEBIReady to take any action as required, says Sebi amid steep mkt volatilityNew Delhi: Sebi on Friday said the regulator and stock exchanges are prepared to "take any action" as required to deal with market volatility, hours after trading was halted for 45 minutes.

DEL134 CAB-LD YESBANKMoratorium on Yes Bank to go soon; govt approves bailout planNew Delhi: Cash withdrawal restrictions and other moratorium conditions on Yes Bank will be lifted within 3 days of "very soon" to be notified SBI-led bailout plan for the beleaguered lender, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Friday.DEL63 BIZ-RBI LIQUIDITYCoronavirus: RBI says 'closely monitoring' situation, will take measures for market stabilityMumbai: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday said it is closely monitoring the current global situation and assured that it will take all steps to keep markets adequately liquid and stable.DEL43 BIZ-FINMIN-STOCK MARKETGovt, RBI to take all necessary steps to quell 'fear sentiment' around coronavirus: CEANew Delhi: The government and the RBI will take all necessary steps to quell the "fear sentiment" created due to coronavirus, Chief Economic Advisor Krishnamurthy Subramanian said on Friday. DCM20 BIZ-MARKETS-HALTBourses halt trading for first time in 12 yearsNew Delhi: Stock market witnessed a halt in trading for the first time in more than 12 years on Friday morning after benchmarks hit circuit breakers on panic selling triggered by concerns over coronavirus pandemic.DEL20 BIZ-AIR INDIAGovt extends deadline to bid for Air India till Apr 30New Delhi: The government on Friday extended the deadline for submitting bids for buying 100 per cent stake in Air India till April 30.

DCM5 BIZ-SIAM-LD AUTOSALESAutomobile sales down 19.08%; economic slowdown, BS-VI transition take tollNew Delhi: Automobile sales in India across categories declined 19.08 per cent in February as economic slowdown continued to hit demand, besides lower production in view of transition to BS-VI emission norms affecting wholesale dispatches, auto industry body SIAM said on Friday.

DCM37 CAB-BIZ-COPRA-PRICEGovt hikes milling copra MSP by Rs 439/qtl; ball copra MSP by Rs 380/qtlNew Delhi: The government on Friday approved an increase in the minimum support price (MSP) of milling copra by Rs 439 per quintal and ball copra by Rs 380 per quintal as part of its effort to boost farmers income.

DCM36 BIZ-NCLT-JETAIRWAYSJet Airways RP seeks 90 days extension for bids from NCLTMumbai: Jet Airways' resolution professional on Friday filed an application in National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) seeking 90 days extension for the corporate insolvency resolution process of the defunct carrier.

DEL93 CORONAVIRUS-BIZ-NPPANPPA asks state regulators to ensure masks, sanitisers not sold above MRPNew Delhi: The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority(NPPA) on Friday asked states and Union Territories (UTs) to ensure that masks and sanitisers are not sold above their maximum retail price.

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