Indian shares fall on trade war fears


FE Team | Published: June 17, 2019 12:23:51 | Updated: June 20, 2019 12:55:06


File Photo (Collected)

Indian shares fell on Monday after the country slapped higher tariffs on certain US products in retaliation to Washington’s decision to remove certain trade privileges for New Delhi.

India, the largest importer of US almonds, imposed higher retaliatory tariffs on 28 US products including almonds, apples and walnuts from Sunday.

Total trade between the two countries stood at about $142.1 billion in 2018, reports Reuters.

Higher Indian tariffs on US goods could impact growing political and security ties between the two nations.

The broader NSE index fell 0.58 per cent to 11,755.05 as of 0510 GMT, while the benchmark BSE index declined 0.52 per cent to 39,247.55. Only nine stocks were trading in the green on the NSE index.

Nifty energy index fell 1.4 per cent, with Reliance Industries among the biggest drags. Reliance shares touched their lowest level in over four weeks, falling up to 2.0 per cent.

Oil prices rose on Monday after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Washington will take all actions necessary to guarantee safe navigation in the Middle East, as tensions mounted following attacks on tankers last week.

Nifty metal index fell 1.9 per cent, dragged by JSW Steel Ltd and Tata Steel Ltd. JSW Steel fell up to 3.3 per cent, while Tata Steel shed 2.5 per cent.

Among the losers, Jet Airways Ltd fell over 16 per cent. Lenders to the grounded airline will finalise the course of action for the carrier on Monday, the Economic Times reported.

Lenders will need to take a call on whether a rescue of the carrier is still possible or it will have to be taken to bankruptcy court, the paper said.

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