The Pakistan Stock Exchange has started the week on a positive note, with the benchmark KSE-100 index gaining 1,085 points, or 2.18 per cent, by the close of trading to reach an all-time high of 50,935.

Led by commercial banking stocks, volumes surged as the benchmark index crossed the 50,000 barrier to close just shy of 51,000 points.

Bulls dominated the market as investor attention continued to be focused on the upcoming MSCI emerging-market review on May 15, according to a commercial bank analyst who chose to remain anonymous.

145 million shares changed hands in the session, with a total worth of nearly Rs16.5 billion.

Stocks of 410 companies were traded, of which 255 gained in value, 135 declined and 20 remained unchanged.

Volumes were led by:

1. Engro Polymer: 35m shares traded [-0.74pc];

2. Bank of Punjab: 18.3m shares traded [+3.20pc];

3. Aisha Steel Mill: 17.4m shares traded [+4.98pc];

4. Bank Al-Falah: 12.7m shares traded [+5.00pc]; and,

5. TRG Pak Ltd: 10.7m shares traded [+0.61pc].