The Dhaka stock market extended its slide for the second week as the DSEX index shed 154.3 points, or 3 percent, to close at 4,968 points on Thursday.
This was the first time in four months that the benchmark index of the country’s premier bourse slipped below the 5,000-mark.
The decline reflects sustained risk-off sentiment due to regulatory uncertainty, political volatility and concerns over the proposed merger of six Islamic banks.
The DS30, representing blue-chip stocks, also fell as it lost 47.14 points to stand at 1,940.62 points by the end of the week. Similarly, the Shariah-based DSES lost 43.42 points to finish at 1,039.21 points.
Selling pressure dominated the week as investors cut exposure to protect capital. However, selective buying in the final trading hour signalled bargain hunting and expectations that market clarity could eventually support a recovery.
Market activity remained subdued but slightly improved, with average turnover rising 5.9 percent to Tk4,844 million. Trading was most concentrated in engineering (13.3 percent), followed by pharmaceuticals (12.3 percent) and textiles (9.8 percent), indicating sector rotation into selective defensives.
Most sectors declined. IT was the worst performer, dropping 9 percent as large-cap weakness weighed on the index. Only jute (5.6 percent) and services (0.8 percent) closed positive, driven by isolated stock-specific interest.
