Mumbai, Aug. 29 -- Indian stock markets fell for the third straight session on Friday, waiting for positive cues after the US decision to impose a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods.

At the end of the trading today, the Sensex was down 270.92 points or 0.34 per cent at 79,809.65, and the Nifty 50 at the National Stock Exchange (NSE) settled at 24,426.85, down 4.05 points or 0.30 per cent.

"The ongoing decline appears to be more sentiment-driven in the absence of fresh positive triggers. Notably, the Nifty is now approaching a critical support zone at 24,250-24,350," said Ajit Mishra, SVP, Research, Religare Broking Ltd.

"Investor sentiment remained cautious as markets attempted to digest the full impact of the US tariff. The persistenc...