TopNews

Washington, Feb 04  : A new study has revealed that the more common colds and viral infections a woman has during pregnancy, the higher the risk her baby will have asthma.

The study found that a mother's infections and bacterial exposure during pregnancy affect the in utero environment, thus increasing a baby's risk of developing allergy and asthma in childhood.

Mumbai, Feb 4 - A benchmark index of Indian equities markets plunged by 190.11 points or 0.94 percent in the pre-noon trade Tuesday.

Almost all the sectors were trading in red. Huge selling pressure was seen in the IT, technology, media and entertainment (TECK) and metal sectors.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 20,050.99 points, was trading at 20,019.15 points in the pre-noon session, down 190.11 points or 0.94 percent from the previous day's close at 20,209.26 points.

Eight mobile phone service providers are participating in the just-started 2G spectrum auction. The government aims to generate at least Rs. 11,300 crore ($1.8 billion) by selling spectrum in 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequency bands.

Revenues from the auction are crucial as the government has been desperately looking for funds to bridge the country's huge fiscal deficit.

Shares of United Spirits Ltd jumped more than 4 per cent in early morning trade on Monday, after liquor giant Diageo increased its stake in the Vijay Mallya-led company.

The UK-based world's biggest spirits maker increased its stake in the Indian company through its Dutch arm Relay BV.

Relay BV purchased nearly 35 lakh shares in United Spirits through a bulk deal at an average price of Rs 2,474.45 apiece. Following the transaction, valued at Rs 866 crore, Relay's stake in United Spirits jumped from 26.37 per cent to 28.8 per cent.

Indian drug-maker Lupin Ltd on Monday reported better-than-expected third quarter net profit, and confirmed its latest acquisition - Nanomi B. V., which has patented technologies to develop complex injectable medicines.

The Asian country's No. 2 pharmaceutical firm by market value announced that its net profit grew 42 per cent year-on-year to Rs 4.8 billion in the October-December quarter of 2013. Analysts had projected the company's December quarter net profit at Rs 4.3 billion.

Stock in Ashok Leyland slipped nearly 2 per cent yesterday after the mid-cap commercial vehicles maker announced a steep decline in January sales.

The Hindujas-run commercial vehicles maker said its January sales slipped 26 per cent year-on-year to 7,847 units in January 2014. Sales of medium and heavy commercial vehicles slipped 19 per cent to 5,530 units in January this year over January last year; while sales of light commercial vehicles tumbled 37 per cent to 2,317 units.