Metal stocks witnessed broad-based selling on Friday, with the Nifty Metal index falling 1.6% in afternoon trade, making it the weakest-performing sectoral index on the National Stock Exchange.

The decline came as investors reacted to renewed weakness in global base metal prices and a cautious outlook following the Reserve Bank of India's latest policy announcements. Concerns over global demand and commodity price trends weighed on sentiment across the metals sector despite relatively stable broader market performance.

Among the major losers, Hindalco Industries fell 2.5%, emerging as one of the top drags on the Nifty 50 index. Tata Steel declined 2%, while JSW Steel slipped 1.7% during the session. The selling pressure was visible across the metals pack as investors reassessed earnings prospects amid softer commodity prices.

The broader market remained comparatively resilient, with the Nifty 50 trading about 0.25% lower, indicating that the weakness was largely concentrated in metal stocks rather than the overall market.

Metal companies are particularly sensitive to fluctuations in global commodity prices, as changes in demand and pricing directly affect profitability. The latest decline reflects investor concerns that softer base metal prices could impact revenue growth and margins for domestic metal producers in the coming quarters.

Market participants will continue to monitor global metal price trends, demand conditions in key economies, and domestic policy developments for further cues on the sector's outlook.