New Delhi, Aug. 4 -- Indian stock markets ended sharply lower on Friday, August 1, as broad-based selling pressure marked a weak start to the August derivatives series. The downturn was fueled by concerns over tariffs, disappointing corporate earnings, and persistent foreign fund outflows.

The Sensex declined by 586 points, or 0.72 per cent, closing at 80,599.91, while the Nifty 50 slipped 203 points, or 0.82 per cent, to settle at 24,565.35.

Broader market indices witnessed even deeper cuts, with both BSE Midcap and Small-cap indices registering sharper losses.

Sumeet Bagadia, Executive Director at Choice Broking, believes that Indian stock market sentiment is cautious as the Nifty 50 index is trading in the 24,500 to 24,950 range.

S...