Indian equity benchmarks dropped more than 1% on Friday, with losses seen across sectors, as investors fled risky assets after a new and possibly vaccine-resistant coronavirus variant was detected in South Africa.

Dear Trader… Indian equity benchmarks suffered sharp losses on Friday tracking a sell-off across global markets. Barring pharmaceutical and healthcare stocks, all sectors slid deep into negative territory. Benchmark indices started gap-down on Dalal Street, as traders were concerned as WHO flags new Covid-19 strain. World Health Organization officials met