The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) extended its upward trend on Thursday, supported by consistent buying from local institutions that kept sentiment firm.

The benchmark KSE-100 index touched an intraday high of 2,422 points before closing at 165,373, up 2,184 points or 1.34%.

A Topline Securities report said the banking sector led the rally, with MEBL, HBL, UBL, and MCB finishing higher on strong volumes.

Energy stocks also gained, as OGDC and PPL attracted sustained investor interest and closed solidly in the green.

Index heavyweights, MEBL, LUCK, PPL, OGDC, and ENGRO, contributed a combined 942 points to the benchmark’s advance.

Trading activity remained modest, with 495 million shares changing hands.

Total turnover, however, rose to Rs30.5 billion. DSL stood out as the session’s volume leader, recording 48.3 million shares.