Bangladesh stocks closed modestly higher on Thursday, extending their recent gains, but trading activity slowed sharply as turnover fell more than one-fifth from the previous session.
The benchmark DSEX index rose 16.73 points, or 0.28 per cent, to 5,895.58.
The DS30 advanced 6.49 points, or 0.29 per cent, to 2,217.22, while the DSES Shariah index gained 3.30 points, or 0.28 per cent, to 1,195.24.
Investor participation weakened, with turnover dropping 22.28 per cent to Tk1,043.44 crore from Tk1,342.52 crore a day earlier. Traded volume also declined 23.07 per cent to 38.85 crore shares from 50.50 crore.
Despite lighter trading, market capitalisation edged up 0.15 per cent to Tk7,05,133.90 crore as gainers narrowly outpaced losers.
A total of 174 stocks advanced, 163 declined and 55 closed unchanged.
Textile shares dominated trading, accounting for Tk207.67 crore, or 20.86 per cent of total DSE turnover, although the sector’s trading turnover fell 34.52 per cent from the previous session.
Pharmaceuticals and chemicals followed with Tk128.66 crore, ahead of general insurance at Tk123.59 crore and engineering at Tk105.55 crore.
Saiham Textile topped the turnover chart with Tk29.43 crore, followed by Techno Drugs with Tk24.61 crore, Dominage Steel Building Systems with Tk24.17 crore, Beximco Pharmaceuticals with Tk23.75 crore and Saiham Cotton Mills with Tk23.09 crore turnover.
Beximco surged 9.95 per cent to lead the gainers. Emerald Oil Industries rose 9.74 per cent and GBB Power gained 9.30 per cent.
Fareast Finance & Investment was the biggest loser, shedding 9.52 per cent, while Premier Leasing & Finance declined 6.90 per cent.
