Shares of metal companies plunged as much as 5.5 per cent today as weaker-than-estimated Chinese trade data stoked concern over the outlook for the world's second-largest economy.
Tata Steel's stock tanked 5.52 per cent, while Hindalco Industries was down 3.69 per cent and Sesa Sterlite lost 3.63 per cent on the BSE.
Among others, JSW Steel fell by 3.51 per cent, while Jindal Steel & Power lost 2.75 per cent.
Similarly, shares of NMDC dropped 2.53 per cent and Bhushan Steel shed 0.43 per cent.
Tracking the losses in these stocks, the BSE metal index ended the day 3.44 per cent lower at 8,933.63, suffering the most among the 13 sectoral indices.
Meanwhile, in the broader market the BSE Sensex ended at 21,826.42, down 108.41 points or 0.49 per cent.
