Manila - Share prices on the Philippine Stock Exchange rose 2.05 per cent on Thursday, buoyed by gains in Wall Street and other overseas markets.

The exchange's 30-share composite index gained 42.45 points to close at 2,103.50, up from Wednesday's finish of 2,061.05.

A total of 1.03 billion shares worth 2.45 billion pesos (51 million dollars) were traded.

Advancers led decliners 67 to 28, while 48 issues were unchanged.

Traders said market sentiment was up after the Dow Jones industrial average closed nearly 170 points higher overnight amid signs of the US economy's decline was easing.

They added that bullish performances of other foreign markets and end-of-the-month window dressing by investors also pulled the local bourse up.