KARACHI, Dec 26: The KSE index of 100 shares shot up 85.9 points to close at 2,637 points, which stood at just a stone’s throw from the index’s all time high level of 2661.34 points touched eight years ago on March 22, 1994.

The volume of shares traded on Thursday stood at 618 million shares, which was four times the average daily turnover of 153 million shares for all of 2002.

Turnover in rupee terms (traded value) amounted to Rs25.7 billion, which was almost five times the year’s average of Rs5.6 billion. Share in the Independent Power Plant—Hub Power Company recorded volume of 258 million shares, which was the largest ever business in a single day for any stock.

A total of 248 stocks were gainers during the day, compared with 96 losers; another 58 shares closed at their previous values.