The Bombay stock exchange benchmark index Sensex dropped 16.83 points on Friday as investors decided to stay out amid increased food inflation concerns. The Sensex closed at 18,221.43 after touching the day's low of 18,206.50 points.

On the other hand, the broad-based NSE Nifty also declined 6.75 points to close at 5,479.40 points after shuttling between the day's high of 5,510.40 and low of 5,473.65.

Global investors played safe on Friday ahead of US unemployment data for August scheduled to be published during the later part of the day.

Metal stocks, especially Tata Steel, Jindal Steel and Hindalco suffered the most during the day's trade. While Tata Steel dropped 3.50 per cent to close at Rs. 539.95 per share, Jindal Steel and Hindalco declined 2.10 per cent and 1.47 per cent respectively.

However, the day remained good for realty companies. BSE Realty closed 1.24 per cent up.

Among others Hero Honda advanced 2.14 per cent on after the company disclosed its sales figures for the month of August. Telecom giant Bharti Airtel also managed to climb 1.60 per cent, Reliance Infra rose 1.60 per cent, Infosys rose 0.74 per cent and HUL moved 1.12 per cent up.