Indian shares retreat from record highs as Reliance drags

A broker reacts while trading at his computer terminal at a stock brokerage firm in Mumbai, India, December 11, 2018. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas/File Photo

BENGALURU (Reuters) – Indian shares retreated from fleeting record highs hit in pre-open trade, dragged down by Reliance Industries after a court blocked the conglomerate’s $3.4 billion retail asset purchase from Future Group.

The NSE Nifty 50 index fell 0.21% to 14,612.45 by 0349 GMT, while the benchmark S&P BSE Sensex was down 0.27% at 49,661.62. The indexes had risen as much as 0.7% and 0.87%, respectively, to all-time highs in pre-open trade.

Shares of Future Retail dropped 5% after an Indian court blocked Future Group’s retail asset sale to Reliance Industries on objections raised by e-commerce giant Amazon.com Inc.

Shares of Reliance Industries fell 0.98% and was the biggest drag on the index.

Drugmaker Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories rose 5.3% after a report said India is expected to grant emergency use authorization for Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine soon.

Dr. Reddy’s has a partnership with the Russian Direct Investment Fund that covers clinical trials of the vaccine and distribution rights for India.

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