Sensex closes 443 points higher

Rising for the eight straight day, the Sensex on Friday vaulted 443 points to close at 18,464.27, a fresh 7-month high as US Federal Reserve approved a new stimulus plan. The positive sentiment prevailed despite inflation rising by a higher-than-expected 7.55 per cent in August, which may restrain the Reserve Bank of India from cutting interest rates at its monetary policy review next week, said dealers. The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark index opened 260 points higher tracking overnight gains in US markets. Reports of a new Quantitative Easing (QE) plan by Fed and hopes that India will taken more steps after hiking diesel price by Rs 5.63 per litre. From gulftoday