The sentiments remained dull on the Lahore Stock Exchange (LSE) where equities showed no visible gain or loss because of lacking investors' interest in trading. The LSE index, for the first time, remained unchanged at 2825.36 throughout the last week that reflected the prevailing sluggishness in the stock market during these days.
However, the trading volume showed some improvement with 126,600 shares as compared to 32,000 shares traded during the previous week. On the first trading day of last week (Monday), the index remained unchanged at previous Friday's level of 2825.36 points. The investors stayed at distance and did not take interest in the shares' trading. As a result, only one company could manage closing in green zone while remaining 72 companies closed at their previous levels.
On Tuesday, the market witnessed highly dull trading day due to which not a single company closed in green or red zones while the index also remained unchanged. All 79 trading companies closed at their overnight levels whereas only two companies; Southern Electric Power and S.S. Oil Mills registered trading of 60,500 and 50,000 shares, respectively but their values remained unchanged.
There was no change in the market sentiments on Wednesday and the index stayed unchanged but the transaction volume substantially declined to 1000 shares as compared to Tuesday volume of 110,500 shares. Both the positive and negative columns remained blank and all 80 companies stayed glued to their previous values. The Nmir Industrial Chemical witnessed trading of 1,000 shares.
Sluggish sentiments continued to prevail for the fourth consecutive day with no change in the index. The volume also remained unchanged at 1000 shares of Saudi Pak Commercial Bank.
The depressed sentiments also prevailed on Friday and because of dull trading activity, no company posted gain or loss and all the 81 trading companies remained unchanged at their previous levels. The index closed at previous on Friday level of 2825.36 while the shares volume marginally improved to 1500 shares.
According to market experts, the situation would remain intact as long as the floor is remained intact. The market could have shown visible change in sentiments and trading activity could gain momentum if the KSE authorities had removed the floor as per previous schedule. The KSE Board's decision to extend floor has helped market avert crash that also saved the investors from huge losses. All the investors, traders, jobbers and brokers are waiting removal of floor but also want public sector institutions to come forward for the market support at this crucial time.