Metal stocks drag markets lower in pre-budget trading

Benchmark indices remained under pressure in afternoon trade on Friday, weighed down by sustained selling in metal stocks ahead of the Union Budget presentation on Sunday. The Sensex was trading at 82,175.62, down 390.75 points or 0.47 per cent from its previous close of 82,566.37, while the Nifty declined 126.35 points or 0.50 per cent to 25,292.55 against Thursday’s close of 25,418.90. Metal stocks continued to lead the losses, with Tata Steel plunging 5.60 per cent to ₹191.00 and Hindalco falling 5.52 pe ...