Bangladesh’s stock market (DSEX) extended its winning streak for a fourth consecutive session on Tuesday, with the benchmark index crossing the 5,900-point mark for the first time in nearly two years as investor participation strengthened amid expectations of regulatory reforms.
The broad-based Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) index, DSEX, gained 44.70 points to close at 5,911, compared with 5,867 in the previous session.
The blue-chip DS30 index rose 24 points to 2,227, while the SME-focused DSMEX declined 4.90 points to 1,274.
Market turnover on the premier bourse increased 16.4 per cent to Tk1,651.3 crore from Tk1,419.2 crore a day earlier. Trading volume rose 6.4 per cent to 46.5 crore shares, while market capitalisation expanded by Tk3,060 crore to Tk7.11 lakh crore.
Analysts attributed the continued rally to growing optimism over proposed changes to margin loan rules and measures aimed at improving market liquidity through faster share settlement and scrip netting.
EBL Securities Research wrote in its post-closing market commentary that the market opened higher and maintained its momentum throughout the session, with stronger buying pressure towards the close lifting the DSEX above the 5,900 level.
Investor sentiment remained resilient despite concerns over renewed tensions in the Middle East.
Textile stocks dominated trading activity, accounting for 14.1 per cent of total turnover, followed by general insurance at 13.7 per cent and engineering at 9.3 per cent.
Cement stocks posted the strongest sectoral gain, rising 3.5 per cent on average, followed by tannery stocks with a 1.8 per cent gain and jute stocks with a 1.7 per cent increase.
Life insurance, mutual funds and general insurance were among the few sectors that declined, falling 0.7 per cent, 0.6 per cent and 0.5 per cent, respectively.
Of the 396 securities traded, 199 advanced, 130 declined and 67 remained unchanged, reflecting broad-based market participation.
Lovello Ice Cream was the day’s most actively traded stock, with transactions worth Tk77.26 crore. Bangladesh Shipping Corporation, Malek Spinning Mills, LafargeHolcim Bangladesh and IPDC Finance were also among the top traded securities.
Aman Feed led the gainers, rising 9.97 per cent, followed by National Tea Company, Northern Jute Manufacturing Company, Rahima Food and Apex Tannery.
On the losing side, ILFSL declined 8.33 per cent, while Peoples Leasing and Financial Services, Meghna Insurance, Premier Leasing and DBH First Mutual Fund also recorded notable losses.
Large-cap stocks continued to support the index, with BRAC Bank making the biggest positive contribution, followed by LafargeHolcim Bangladesh, Square Pharmaceuticals, Beximco Pharmaceuticals and BSRM Steels.
BD Thai Aluminium, Meghna Insurance, Walton Hi-Tech Industries, Nahee Aluminum Composite Panel and Sunlife Insurance were among the stocks that weighed on the index.
The Chattogram Stock Exchange also ended higher, with its Selective Categories’ Index (CSCX) gaining 38.6 points and the All Share Price Index (CASPI) rising 67.5 points.
