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    ASX lower; RBA keeps rates on hold; COVID mutant strain vaccine

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    Highlights
    • ASX200 closes 0.4% lower at 6762.30.
    • RBA keeps interest rates at 0.1% for March.
    • COVID-19 mutant strain vaccine set for end of 2021.

    The Australian market reversed morning gains to close 0.4% lower at 6762.30 points as the gold miners weighed on the key index following a 0.5% fall in the price of gold.

    The RBA has left Australian interest rates at a record-low 0.1% for the fourth consecutive month despite soaring property prices and economic recovery.

    The tech sector closed 0.71% lower as Bravura Solutions, Afterpay and Nearmap dragged.

    Bitcoin remains steady trading at US$49,025.63 at 4:45pm AEDT, up more than 6% in the last 24 hours.

    Australian-based music technology company Jaxsta was a winner in today?s session, closing 4.7% higher following the announcement of a publisher data deal. Jaxsta signed a two year deal with Kobalt Music for the provision of publisher data to improve its official music credits data.

    Making headlines, Australian pharmaceutical giant Csl has warned that vaccine variations to combat mutant strains of the coronavirus are unlikely to be available before the end of 2021. Csl has already produced 15 million doses of AstraZenecca?s vaccine as part of its contract.

    And Volvo is set to go 100% electric by 2030, joining the growing list of automakers phasing out fossil-fuel engines over this decade. The Swedish carmaker said 50% of its global sales should be fully electric by 2025.

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