Bearish sentiments dominated on the Lahore Stock Exchange on Thursday and the equities suffered losses amid descending transaction volume on account of lacking interest on the part of investors who remained on the sideline. However, the LSE-25 index gained 34.13 points to 5366.82 against 5332.69 of Wednesday, while trading turnover further squeezed to 68,700 shares as compared with the previous volume of 155,200 shares.
The market opened on mixed note but later kept on moving up and down till close of trading and finally settled in negative zone because of selling pressure in Pakistan Oil Fields, Fauji Fertiliser Bin Qasim, Nishat Chunian Power, NIB Bank, Power Cement, Pace Pakistan and Japan Power. However, following buyers' interest, Maple Leaf Cement, Dewan Cement, Pervez Ahmed Securities, Silk Bank and IGI Investment Bank ended in green zone. The losers were more than the gainers, as out of a total of 64 active issues, five companies posted gains, seven stayed in negative zone while 52 companies remained unchanged.
Maple Leaf Cement gained Rs 2.02 while Dewan Cement and Pervez Ahmed Securities were up by 06-paisa each. In the minus column, Pakistan Oil Fields lost Rs 1.00 while Fauji Fertiliser Bin Qasim and Nishat Chunian Power were down by 77-paisa and 43-paisa, respectively. IGI Investment Bank led the volume leaders with 20,000 shares followed by Japan Power with 15,000 shares.