Dhaka stocks extended gains for a fourth consecutive session on Saturday as improving domestic signals and renewed political commitments to capital market reforms boosted investor confidence ahead of the Eid holidays.
The benchmark DSEX index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange rose 64.2 points, or 1.2 per cent, to close at 5,328, compared with 5,264 in the previous session.
The market opened strongly and maintained upward momentum throughout the session, led by buying interest in large-cap banking stocks amid expectations of supportive reforms and improving macroeconomic conditions, wrote EBL Securities in its post-closing market commentary.
Turnover on the DSE increased 4.0 per cent to Tk900 crore from Tk870 crore in the previous trading session, indicating stronger investor participation.
Market operators said easing geopolitical tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and signs of macroeconomic stabilisation also supported sentiment in the equity market.
Engineering stocks accounted for the highest share of turnover of 15.7 per cent, followed by pharmaceuticals’ 15.4 per cent and general insurance sector’s 12.9 per cent turnover share.
Most sectors closed higher, with cement stocks posting the highest gain of 3.3 per cent, followed by services with 2.8 per cent and banks with 2.1 per cent. The information technology sector was the lone major loser, declining 1.9 per cent during the session.
Among major gainers, Meghna Cement Mills surged 9.87 per cent, followed by Emerald Oil Industries with 9.47 per cent and Aramit Cement with 9.17 per cent.
Other notable gainers included Regent Textile Mills, Sena Insurance, Apex Tannery and Heidelberg Materials Bangladesh.
On the losing side, Daffodil Computers fell 9.37 per cent, while Premier Leasing & Finance and Apex Spinning & Knitting Mills declined 6.90 per cent and 6.27 per cent respectively.
Other major losers included Prime Finance & Investment, NCC Bank and ICB Islamic Bank.
Out of 396 traded issues, 215 advanced, 113 declined and 68 remained unchanged.
At the Chittagong Stock Exchange, the Selective Categories Index rose 81.3 points, while the All Share Price Index gained 138.7 points to close in positive territory.
