Metal Stocks Drag Nifty Metal Index 1.5% Lower; Tata Steel, Vedanta, NMDC Lead Losses
- 14th August 2025
- 04:45:00 PM
- 3 min read
Mumbai, August 14 – Metal stocks declined sharply on Thursday, pulling the Nifty Metal index down 1.5%, ending a three-day rally that had been supported by strong Q1 FY26 earnings and hopes of a US Federal Reserve rate cut. The Nifty Metal index emerged as the top sectoral loser in the session, reflecting mixed performance across major metal and steel companies.
NMDC was the largest decliner, dropping more than 4% to Rs 69.50 per share. The company reported a net profit of Rs 1,968 crore in Q1 FY26, while revenue from operations increased 24.5% year-on-year to Rs 6,739 crore. The stock had gained in the previous session after the earnings announcement but gave up the gains amid profit booking.
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Jindal Steel & Power shares fell over 2% to close at Rs 974.50. The company reported an 11.5% year-on-year rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 1,494 crore for Q1 FY26, but revenue fell 10% YoY to Rs 12,294.5 crore. Jindal Steel had seen a 3% rise on Wednesday following the release of its quarterly results.
Other major metal and steel companies also recorded declines. Tata Steel, Vedanta, and SAIL fell between 1.5% and 2%, contributing to the overall weakness in the Nifty Metal index. Hindustan Zinc and NALCO dropped around 1% each, while Hindalco Industries slipped more than 1% in early trades. Hindalco had posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 4,004 crore in Q1 FY26, marking a 30% year-on-year increase from Rs 3,074 crore in the same quarter last year. Revenue for Hindalco rose 13% YoY to Rs 64,232 crore.
Other metal stocks showed a mixed trend. Welspun Corp, Hindustan Copper, and JSW Steel ended the session with marginal losses, while APL Apollo Tubes, Adani Enterprises, and Jindal Stainless Steel recorded slight gains. This uneven performance across the sector reflects selective trading activity in response to recent earnings releases.
Thursday’s decline in the Nifty Metal index marks a pause after three consecutive sessions of gains, which had been driven by favorable global cues, including a softer US dollar and market expectations of a potential rate cut by the Federal Reserve. Major metal sector stocks, including steel stocks, aluminium stocks, and copper stocks, were all impacted to varying degrees.
Investors tracking metal stocks India and Q1 FY26 performance will note that companies such as NMDC, Hindalco Industries, and Jindal Steel & Power delivered healthy earnings growth despite recent price fluctuations. The Nifty Metal index’s performance on Thursday highlights the volatility that can follow earnings-driven rallies in the metal and steel sector.
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Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet and is subject to changes. Please consult an expert before making related decisions.
