Dhaka stocks rebounded on Tuesday as expectations of a possible revision to the proposed margin lending rules revived investor confidence, triggering broad-based buying across sectors after the previous session’s cautious trading.
The benchmark DSEX index rose by 41.3 points to close at 5,899, while the blue-chip DS30 index increased by 11.2 points to 2,220. The DSES index, which tracks small and medium enterprises (SMEs), fell by 0.8 point to 1,226.
Trading activity strengthened as turnover on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) increased by 16.9 per cent to Tk1,129.4 crore from Tk966.5 crore in the previous session.
Investor sentiment improved after several sessions of uncertainty over the proposed changes to margin rules, EBL Securities wrote in its post-closing market commentary.
Insurance stocks, which faced selling pressure over concerns about possible restrictions on margin eligibility, stabilised as investors expected regulatory easing, as the regulator clarified that it would listen to stakeholder opinions, it added.
Buying interest also shifted towards non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), with investors looking for short-term gains in the sector.
Textile stocks dominated trading, accounting for 18.4 per cent of total turnover, followed by pharmaceuticals and chemicals at 11.8 per cent and banks at 11.2 per cent.
Most sectors ended higher. Mutual funds led sectoral gains, rising by 4.5 per cent, followed by financial institutions, which increased by 3.6 per cent, and tannery stocks, which advanced by 2.4 per cent. Services fell by 0.5 per cent, and pharmaceuticals declined by 0.1 per cent.
Of the 396 traded issues, 291 advanced, 56 declined, and 49 remained unchanged, reflecting broad-based buying pressure.
Queen South Textile Mills topped turnover with shares worth Tk25.23 crore changing hands, followed by Malek Spinning Mills with Tk24.32 crore and LankaBangla Finance with Tk22.78 crore in stock turnover.
National Polymer led the gainers, rising by 9.94 per cent, followed by IFIC 1st Mutual Fund which increased by 9.76 per cent, and EXIM Bank 1st Mutual Fund which advanced by 9.52 per cent.
ACI Formulation was the biggest loser, falling by 3.40 per cent, while CNA Textile declined by 3.33 per cent and Techno Drugs dropped by 3 per cent.
