Mixed sentiments prevailed on the Lahore Stock Exchange on Tuesday where equities moved both ways and finally settled in positive zone amid range-bound activity due to cautious approach of the investors. The LSE-25 index was declined by 52.42 points to close at 3920.09 against 3972.51 of last Thursday while transaction volume was marginally improved to 2.149 million shares compared with previous volume of 1.658 million shares.
After a long-break on account of Eid holidays, the market was opened on a mixed note and remained range-bound during first trading hour. Later, the market witnessed sharp fall but immediately staged recovery following buying in select shares.
Pakistan Reinsurance, Nishat Chunian, D.G. Khan Cement, Pioneer Cement, Maple Leaf Cement, Bank Al-Habib, National Bank, Askari Bank, Bank of Punjab, Fauji Fertiliser Bin Qasim showed resistance while PPL, Engro Corporation, Fatima Fertiliser, Fauji Fertiliser, Arif Habib Corporation, PTCL, Ravi Textile Mills, KESC, Fauji Cement, and Lotte Pakistan remained under selling pressure.
The gainers were more than the losers, as out of a total of 96 active issues, 21 companies posted gains, 15 stayed in negative column, while 60 companies remained unchanged at their previous closing. Attock Refinery gained Rs 2.00, Pakistan Reinsurance was appreciated by Rs 1.02 while Nishat Chunian and Pioneer Cement were improved by 55-paisa and 50-paisa respectively. In the minus column, PPL lost Rs 2.85, Engro Corporation was declined by Rs 1.51, Arif Habib Corporation shed Rs 1.15 while PTCL and Ravi Textile Mills were down by 90-paisa and 71-paisa respectively. Askari Bank with trading of 445,000 shares topped the volume leaders followed by Fauji Cement with 263,000 shares.