Stock markets to remain open on Budget day

The decision has been taken following requests made in this regard by market participants as Budget contains several market-moving announcements.

Stock markets will be open for normal trading on February 1, Saturday, when the Union Budget will be presented.

Generally, the markets are closed on Saturdays and Sundays, except for special circumstances.

In separate circulars on Wednesday, leading exchanges BSE and NSE said the markets would be open for trading on February 1 on account of Union Budget presentation.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Budget for 2020-21.

Trading would be conducted during normal hours from 9 am to 3.30 pm, as per the circulars.

According to market sources, the decision has been taken following requests made in this regard by market participants as Budget contains several market-moving announcements.

In 2015, stock exchanges were open for trading on February 28, Saturday, when then Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had presented the Budget.

Stock markets have always been open on normal timings since Budget presentation timings were changed from 5 pm to 11 am in 2001.

Photograph: Arko Datta/Reuters