The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) faced a mixed performance yesterday, with profit-booking selloffs triggering a slight decline in the broad market index.
The DSEX, the benchmark index of the country’s premier bourse, fell by 6.57 points, or 0.12 percent from the day before, to settle at 5,448.83 points.
Although the session began with positive momentum from the previous trading day, sentiment quickly weakened as investors opted to realize recent gains, leading to a cautious stance. As a result, the market indices faced downward pressure.
However, the turnover increased by 5.9 percent, rising to approximately Tk 12.5 billion from Tk 11.8 billion in the previous session. The textile sector recorded the highest turnover, accounting for 14.7 percent of the total market activity, followed by the pharmaceutical and banking sectors at 14.7 percent and 9.5 percent, respectively.
On the sectoral front, mixed returns were observed. IT, fuel & power, and ceramic sectors saw positive returns of 2.2 percent, 2.0 percent, and 1.7 percent, respectively. In contrast, the jute, financial institution, and general insurance sectors recorded corrections, with losses of 1.8 percent, 1.0 percent, and 0.8 percent, respectively.
Among the 397 issues traded, 136 advanced, 215 declined, and 46 remained unchanged.
Top gainers on the DSE included Energypac Power Generation PLC, which surged by 10 percent, followed by National Polymer Industries PLC at 9.97 percent, and Information Services Network Ltd at 9.93 percent. Other notable gainers included Bashundhara Paper Mills Ltd and Trust Islami Life Insurance Ltd, both posting strong increases.
On the other hand, FAS Finance and Investment Ltd recorded the largest loss, falling by 10 percent, closely followed by Premier Leasing and Finance Ltd, Prime Finance & Investment Ltd, Shurwid Industries Ltd, and International Leasing & Financial Services Ltd, all of which posted losses between 9.09 percent and 9.38 percent.
City Bank PLC topped the turnover list, contributing around Tk 421 crore to the day’s total, while Sonali Paper & Board Mills Ltd was the most actively traded stock, with 6,910 shares changing hands.
The Chittagong Stock Exchange posted a positive performance, with the All-Share Price Index (CASPI) rising by 15.7 points, marking a modest uptick of 0.10 percent from the previous day.