Mixed sentiments prevailed on the Lahore Stock Exchange (LSE) where equities moved both ways and finally closed with marginal declines amid decreased trading turnover. The LSE-25 index was slightly declined by 3.09 points and was ended at 3117.08 points against 3120.17 points of Thursday, while transaction volume was restricted to 1.303 million shares, as compared to 1.404 million shares traded a day earlier.
The market was opened on a depressed note and kept on moving up and down during the first trading session. The investors adopted cautious approach and showed reluctance in taking positions ahead of weekend that resulted in low trading volume. However, market witnessed recovery in the second session when last hours' buying helped market avert more declines.
PSO, OGDC, Attock Refinery, Byco Petroleum, Bank Alfalah, Engro Corporation, Hira Textile Mills, Lotte Pakistan PTA performed well, while Fauji Fertiliser, Fatima Fertiliser, PPL, Nishat Mills, MCB Bank, National Bank, NetSol Technologies and Nimir Industrial Chemical remained under selling pressure.
The losers were just more than the gainers. Of 92 active issues, 12 companies registered gains, 15 went down, while 65 companies remained unchanged at their previous closing. PSO gained Rs 5.72, OGDC was improved by Rs 1.70, Attock Refinery was appreciated by Re 1.00, while Bank Alfalah and Hira Textile were up by 24-paisa each.
Fauji Fertiliser lost Rs 3.80, PPL was declined by Rs 1.14, while Nishat Mills and MCB Bank were down by 79-paisa and 61-paisa, respectively. Fatima Fertiliser was the market leader whose 212,707 shares changed hands followed by NIB Bank with 166,166 shares.