Equities on Monday registered losses amid bearish sentiments on the Lahore Stock Exchange and finally settled in negative zone. The LSE-25 index lost 76.23 points to close at 4055.64 against 4131.87 of last Friday while transaction volume was restricted to 2.657 million shares compared with previous volume of 3.419 million shares.
The market was opened on a depressed note and stayed range-bound almost throughout the day. However, ahead of closing, the market was sharply declined in the absence of investors' interest. ICI Pakistan, Bank of Punjab, MCB Bank, Wateen Telecom, Pakgen Power, Nishat Chunian, Lotte Chemical Pakistan, Fauji Fertiliser, and Engro Foods resisted selling pressure. However, Engro Corporation, Adamjee Insurance, National Bank, NetSol Technologies, DG Khan Cement, Maple Leaf Cement, Nishat Mills, Pioneer cement, Pak Elektron, PPL and remained under pressure.
The loser were marginally more than the gainers, as out of a total of 103 active issues, 24 companies posted gains, 25 went down while 54 companies remained unchanged at their last week closing. ICI Pakistan gained Rs 4.9, Dynea Pakistan was improved by Rs 1.28, while Bank of Punjab and MCB Bank with 38-paisa and 37-paisa respectively. Engro Corporation lost Rs 3.31, Adamjee Insurance was declined by Rs 3.25, National bank shed Rs 1.78 while NetSol Technologies and DG Khan Cement were down by Rs 1.15 and Rs 1.14, respectively. Bank of Punjab with trading of 882,000 shares topped the volume leaders followed by NIB Bank with 279,500 shares.