The IMF has predicted the epidemic would shave 0.1 percentage points off global growth
China is the world's biggest metals consumer but also the top exporter of some industrial metals, such as steel and aluminium
Steel companies witnessed a contraction in margins, dragged down by lacklustre demand and lower global commodity prices
As a fallout of unequal trade concessions, copper imports have already grabbed a third of domestic consumption, while aluminium imports account for 60%
Tata Steel, Vedanta and SAIL have seen sharp fall in their stock prices in the recent months.
The metals sector's depressing performance was emblematic of the country's GDP growth during the quarter
Hindalco, JSW Steel, Tata Steel, which are structurally sound and have low capital and costs, will do better in 2019, say analysts