Dhaka stocks extend rally as turnover jumps 27%

The Dhaka stock market continued its upward momentum today, buoyed by a sharp rise in turnover and improving investor sentiment.

The benchmark index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange, DSEX, advanced by 34 points to close at 5,156, extending gains from the previous session. The blue-chip DS30 index also rose, adding 16 points to settle at 1,971, reflecting strong buying interest in fundamentally sound stocks.

Market activity saw a significant boost, with turnover surging by 27% to Tk597 crore, signalling a return of liquidity and growing investor confidence. The majority of listed securities posted gains, with 275 issues closing higher, compared to 70 decliners and 48 remaining unchanged, underscoring the strength of the rally.

According to EBL Securities, the market maintained its upward trajectory as investors showed renewed interest in beaten-down stocks, taking advantage of attractive valuations following recent corrections. 

The brokerage noted that sentiment was further supported by ongoing ceasefire discussions related to the Middle East war, which helped ease global uncertainties and encouraged investors to re-enter the market.

The session began on a cautious note, with investors engaging in selective buying amid lingering concerns. However, as the trading day progressed, buying interest intensified, driven by supportive domestic cues and improving confidence. This shift in sentiment led to more decisive accumulation of stocks, ultimately pushing the indices higher by the close of trading.

Sector-wise, the pharmaceutical sector dominated trading activity, accounting for 16.8% of the total turnover, followed by the engineering sector with 13.9% and the general insurance sector with 10.8%. The strong participation across sectors suggests that the rally was broad-based rather than concentrated in a few stocks.

Among the most actively traded stocks were Lovello Ice-cream, Acme Pesticides, Khan Brothers PP Woven Bag, Techno Drugs, and Asiatic Laboratories, reflecting heightened investor interest in both large and mid-cap companies.

Most sectors ended the day in positive territory, with notable gains seen in ceramic, paper, and textile stocks, which rose 2.7%, 2.1%, and 1.8%, respectively. The food sector was the only segment to close in negative territory, albeit marginally, indicating limited profit-taking in an otherwise bullish market.

Top-performing stocks of the day included Regent Textile and Familytex, both of which gained the maximum allowable limit, followed by Lovello Ice-cream, Atlas Bangladesh, and BD Autocars, all posting strong price appreciation. On the losing side, Al-Arafah Islami Bank led the declines, followed by Uttara Finance, Sunlife Insurance, Asiatic Laboratories, and Unilever Consumer Care.

Meanwhile, the port city bourse also ended the session in positive territory, although with minor adjustments. The Selective Categories' Index and the All Share Price Index of the Chittagong Stock Exchange saw slight declines, suggesting a mixed but stable performance outside the main Dhaka market.