New Delhi, Sept. 19 -- Public sector lenders such as SBI, Bank of Baroda, and Punjab National Bank rallied sharply this week, propelling the Nifty PSU Bank index to the top of sectoral charts.

All 12 constituents of the Nifty PSU Bank index ended the week in the green, led by UCO Bank with a 7.11% gain to Rs.31.05. Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, PNB, Central Bank, and Union Bank followed with gains ranging between 5% and 6.15%.

SBI climbed 5% to Rs.862, moving closer to its one-year high of Rs.875.50. Strong gains across individual counters lifted the Nifty PSU Bank index by 4.83%, its best weekly performance in four months, taking September's advance to 9.5%.

If the momentum sustains and the index ends the month wit...