Mixed sentiment prevailed at Lahore Stock Exchange on Monday where equities moved both ways and ended with marginal gain amid ascending transaction volume on account of fresh entries. The LSE-25 index improved slightly by 4.42 points and closed at 3796.34 points against 3791.92 points of last Friday, while trading turnover increased to 6.232 million shares as compared to 3.806 million shares.
The market opened on a positive sign and stayed in green zone during first trading hour. However, upward slide did not continue and equities started declining because investors offloaded their holdings in PPL, Engro Chemical, MCB Bank, United Bank, Lucky Cement, Wateen Telecom, and Sui Northern.
After staying in red for some time, the market showed recovery before closing, and PSO, Attock Refinery, Millat Tractors, Habib Bank, Nimir Industrial Chemical, Sui Southern, Fauji Fertilizer, Dewan Farooq Motors, Descon Chemical and Lotte Pakistan PTA registered marginal gains.
The advancing stocks were ahead of declining ones, as out of 120 active issues, 34 companies posted gains and 22 recorded losses, while values of 64 companies remained unchanged. PSO improved by Rs 3.00, Attock Refinery gained Rs 2.73, Millat Tractor appreciated by Rs 2.10, Habib Bank by Rs 1.30 and Rupali Polyester by Rs 1.11. PPL lost Rs 1.35, Engro Chemical declined by 88 paisa, MCB Bank lost 74 paisa and Dewan Cement was down by 55 paisa. Nimir Industrial Chemical was the market leader whose 3.564 million shares changed hands, followed by Lotte Pakistan with 773,940 shares.