Bullish sentiment dominated the Lahore Stock Exchange on Tuesday and equities registered gains amid ascending transaction volume on account of fresh buying in blue chips. The LSE-25 index gained 29.13 points and closed at 3207.98 points against 3178.85 points of Monday, while trading turnover increased to 3.224 million shares as compared to 1.566 million shares.
The market opened on a healthy sign and sharply moved up to gain over 35 points. After touching the day's peak level, the market witnessed selling pressure due to profit taking. However, because of buying in select scrips, the market started rising and stayed in positive zone till the closing of trading.
Engro Corporation, Fauiji Fertiliser, Fatima Fertiliser, MCB Bank, Askari Bank, Silk Bank, Bank of Punjab, National Bank, KASB Bank, Arif Habib Corporation, Cherat Cement, PPL, OGDC, Mari Gas and Lotte Pakistan ended with gains while Engro Foods, Lucky Cement, Nishat Mills, Habib Bank, Maple Leaf Cement and Attock Refinery closed in minus column.
The gainers were more than the losers, as out of 104 active issues, 32 companies posted gains and 7 stayed in minus column, while 65 companies stayed glued to their previous levels. Engro Corporation gained Rs 1.35, Fauji Fertiliser improved by Rs 1.17, NetSol Technologies appreciated by Rs 1.00, MCB Bank was up by 81 paisa, and Arif Habib Corporation gained 79 paisa. Engro Foods declined by Rs 1.75, Lucky Cement lost Rs 1.72 and Nishat Mills was down by Rs 1.24. Silk Bank was the market leader whose 781,227 shares changed hands, followed by Bank of Punjab with 560,158 shares.