KARACHI: The stock market continued northward drive on the first day of Ramazan as the benchmark KSE-100 index added 262.65 points, or 0.58 per cent, to overnight gains closing at 45,311.22 on Wednesday. The investor optimism was triggered by the positive numbers including the 7.45pc growth in large-scale manufacturing during the first eight months of the current fiscal year and 34pc jump in private sector’s borrowings from banks in 9MFY21 despite Covid-19 challenges suggesting the economic activities are picking up momentum. Also, according to Arif Habib Ltd (AHL), the proximity to announcement of quarterly corporate results made investors take a positive view on the market. Buying activity was observed in cyclical sectors such as autos, cement and steel.