The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) posted its second biggest gain of the year on Wednesday, with the benchmark KSE-100 index adding 965 points.

The index opened higher and continued on an upward trend to close at 40,898 points amid high volumes.

"Mid-day buying in financials alone contributed 240 points in today's gain," Elixir Securities noted.

In all, 247.8m shares worth Rs8.6 billion were trade at the exchange, up from 142m shares worth Rs6bn traded yesterday.

Of the 356 scrips traded, 279 advanced, 52 declined and 19 remained unchanged.

Volumes were led by:

1. Pakistan Intl. Bulk Terminal Ltd: 19.6m shares traded [0.00pc];

2. Engro Polymer and Chemicals Ltd: 10.3m shares traded [+4.89pc];

3. Fauji Cement Co Ltd: 10.0m shares traded [+4.44pc];

4. Fauji Foods Limited: 9.7m shares traded [+2.23pc];

5. TRG Pakistan Ltd: 9.5m shares traded [+4.98pc].