Mixed sentiments prevailed on the Lahore Stock Exchange (LSE) on Wednesday where equities moved both ways and finally ended in green zone amid marginally decreased trading turnover. The LSE-25 index was increased by 19.09 points and was closed at 3686.88 points against 3667.79 points of Tuesday, while transaction volume was squeezed to 4.395 million shares, as compared to last day volume of 4.709 million shares.
The market opened on a mixed note and because of lacking direction kept on moving within the range of five points till mid day. However, as a result of aggressing buying in banking sector shares like United Bank, Habib Bank, Allied Bank, National Bank, Bank Alfalah, MCB Bank and Bank of Punjab, the market showed vertical rise to cross the 3700 mark.
After touching the day's peak level, the market started declining, as the investors preferred profit taking to pocket the available margin. The fertiliser companies including Engro Corporation, Fauji Fertiliser Bin Qasim, Sui Northern, Sui Southern, Kot Addu Power, Nishat Mills, Nishat Chunian, Arif Habib Corporation, and Lafarge Pakistan Cement remained under selling pressure and were closed in negative zone. The losers were just ahead of the gainers. Out of a total of 133 active companies, 31 registered gains, 34 stayed in minus column, while values of 68 companies remained unchanged at their previous closing.
Among gainers, Fauji Fertiliser was improved by Rs 4.94, United Bank was appreciated by Rs 2.94, Habib Bank gained Rs 1.50, while Allied Bank and National Bank were up by Rs 1.26 and Rs 1.16, respectively. In the minus column, Engro Corporation lost Rs 2.56, while Hub Power and Sui Southern Gas were declined by 80-paisa and 76-paisa, respectively. Silk Bank was the market leader whose 567,658 shares changed hands followed by Bank Alfalah with trading of 474,398 shares.