Stocks on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) fell for a second consecutive session as investors remained cautious amid ongoing corporate earnings and dividend announcements, with selling pressure outweighing intermittent buying interest.
The benchmark DSEX index slipped 10.5 points to close at 5,423, down from 5,433 in the previous session, as uncertainty over the market’s near-term direction kept investors largely on the sidelines.
Selling began early as investors booked profits following bargain hunting in previous sessions. Sporadic buying failed to sustain a recovery, leaving the benchmark in negative territory at the close.
Trading remained subdued ahead of the extended Durga Puja holidays, although turnover rose 15.2 per cent to Tk370 crore from Tk320 crore in the previous session. DSE server issues also slowed turnover amid trading disruptions.
Textiles dominated trading, accounting for 23 per cent of total turnover, followed by general insurance with 14.4 per cent and pharmaceuticals with 10.3 per cent.
Sectoral performance was mixed. Jute stocks gained 1.8 per cent, services rose 0.7 per cent and financial institutions advanced 0.5 per cent.
Mutual funds suffered the steepest decline, losing 1.2 per cent, followed by information technology stocks at 0.8 per cent and ceramics at 0.7 per cent.
Market breadth remained firmly negative. Of the 395 issues traded, 215 declined, 99 advanced and 81 remained unchanged, leaving more than twice as many stocks falling as rising.
The Chittagong Stock Exchange also ended lower, with its Selective Categories Index shedding 20.8 points and the All Share Price Index losing 36.1 points.
