Pakistan's benchmark KSE-100 index extended its rally for a fourth straight session on Thursday, gaining 3,366.38 points, or 1.96 percent, to close at 175,380 and reclaim the 175,000 mark for the first time since September 1.
According to sources, easing Middle East concerns after Democrats' gains in the US midterm elections and a sharp drop in international oil prices lifted investor sentiment. The index touched an intraday high of about 176,605. Trading volume rose 18.79 percent to 999.8 million shares and value climbed 30.14 percent to Rs46.1 billion.
Buying spanned banks, cement, automobile assemblers, oil and gas explorers and marketers. United Bank, Lucky Cement, Meezan Bank, Systems Ltd, Engro Holdings and other heavyweights together added about 1,981 points. WTI crude fell below $87 a barrel and Brent to about $96 from $102, a drop of more than 8 percent.