Dhaka stocks ended slightly lower on Tuesday as the nationwide gas and electricity crisis kept investors cautious, while weak participation pushed turnover to a five-month low.
The benchmark DSEX fell 3.5 points, or 0.1 per cent, to 5,640. The DS30 declined 4.7 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 2,126, while the SME-focused DSMEX lost 1.8 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 1,065.
The market swung between gains and losses. Bargain hunters lifted prices around midday, but broad-based selling in the final hour erased the gains and left the benchmark marginally lower.
Turnover fell 15.8 per cent to Tk506.70 crore from Tk602 crore a day earlier, the lowest in five months. The number of trades dropped 19.5 per cent to 154,602, while traded volume fell 14.8 per cent to 19.20 crore shares.
The weak activity reflected investors’ reluctance to commit fresh funds as persistent energy shortages fuel concerns over industrial activity and corporate earnings.
Textile stocks accounted for 25.3 per cent of turnover, followed by banks at 13.7 per cent and general insurance at 10.1 per cent.
Fuel and power led sectoral gains, rising 0.6 per cent, followed by paper and printing at 0.4 per cent and cement at 0.3 per cent. Ceramics fell 0.8 per cent, jute 0.6 per cent and life insurance 0.5 per cent.
Of 395 issues traded, 171 advanced, 150 declined and 74 remained unchanged.
Sharp Industries led turnover with Tk27.80 crore, followed by Saiham Textile with Tk24.25 crore and BRAC Bank with Tk19.58 crore.
Among the top gainers, Meghna Condensed Milk rose 10 per cent to Tk38.50, followed by Familytex with an 8.7 per cent gain. Phoenix Finance advanced 8.33 per cent, C&A Textiles 6.67 per cent and GQ Ball Pen 4.8 per cent.
Sharp Industries was the biggest loser, falling 10 per cent to Tk29.70. Capital General Insurance Balanced Fund declined 9.71 per cent, Sandhani Life Insurance 7.58 per cent, Tung Hai Knitting 6.52 per cent and First Finance 6.12 per cent.
