Sensex jumps 544 pts on hopes of Gulf peace talks

MUMBAI: Improving chances of talks between Iran and US to end the war in the Persian Gulf region pulled down crude prices and lifted investor sentiment globally on Monday. The rub-off effect on Dalal Street helped sensex close 544 points or 0.7% up at 78,639 points, a more than three-month high level. The day’s closing in Nifty, however, showed a sharp spike in the last 20 minutes of the session, as the index closed 391 points or 1.6% up at 24,774 points. Meanwhile, the rupee was nearly flat versus the dollar at 95.33, as dollar demand from importers and state-run banks gathered pace. TNN