The EGX30, Egypt's benchmark stock index, has closed up 0.97 per cent, continuing the upward trend started Wednesday. Analysts described this as a result of the relative political stability since the beginning of the January 25 Revolution. The broader EGX70 edged up 2.79 per cent and the EGX100 2.01 per cent. Of 178 listed stocks, 138 showed gains and 33 declined.