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Istanbul shares

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ISTANBUL: Istanbul shares ended 1.38 percent higher thanks to last minute buy orders coming at the end of a relatively volatile trading session, brokers said.

The IMKB-100 closed 1.38 percent or 628.03 points higher at 46,032.75. Daily volume was 9.9 trillion lira, up on Wednesday's 7.03 trillion.

"Buy orders that came at end-session may also help push the index up at the beginning of tomorrow's session. I expect trade to be volatile on the Istanbul exchange until the first week of September when political worries will subside," Serdar Gokturk, general manager of Egemen Securities said.

Brokers said the September 9 congress of the junior coalition partner of the government, the Republican People's Party (CHP), kept political worries intact and traders sidelined on the exchange.

They added a possible upturn of the index was also prevented due to limited cash entry.

Out of 204 shares traded, 131 gained, 28 lost and 45 remained unchanged.

The 79-share industrial index (.ISEI) ended 1.74 percent higher at 52,327.83 and the 21-share financial index (.ISEF) gained 0.17 percent to close at 36,650.

The session's most active shares were those of the utility firm Kepez Elektrik (KEPEZ.IS), which ended unchanged at 35,000. Another utility firm, Cukurova Elektrik (CUKEL.IS) advanced by 250 lira to close at 19,250.-Reuter