The Philippine market closed to its highest level on Thursday after Philex Mining Corp. and Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) returned to the limelight.

The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index rose by one percent or 30.69 points to close at 3,083.30 on Thursday, while the all share index rallied by 0.67 percent or 12.91 points to 1, 919.19.

Trading on Philex and Meralco, which accounted for 19 percent of the market’s transaction, pushed the local market to hit a 20- month high.

Trading was within average where some 2.36 billion shares valued at 3.06 billion pesos (65.5 million U.S. dollars) changed hands. Foreign investors remain consistent at the buying side with 142 million pesos (3.040 million U.S. dollars).

All six counters climbed, led by mining and oil shares which again went up by 4.91 percent or 519.40 points to 11,082.63. The issue was again pulled up by Philex which climbed by 8.19 percent to 16.50 pesos (0.35 U.S. dollar).

Market breadth, however, remains negative where 60 issues declined, 55 gained and 60 shares did not move.