Sensex drops 739 pts, Nifty ends below 24,550; metal stocks slump

Profit-taking gripped Dalal Street today as investors hit the brakes ahead of next week's union budget. The Nifty shed its four-day winning streak, closing below 24,550 despite a strong start. All sectors finished lower, with metals and oil & gas taking the biggest hits. Broader market indices extended selloff.