DSE turnover plunges 31%
However, turnover fell by 31% to Tk565 crore, highlighting subdued trading activity as investors remained watchful amid prevailing market uncertainty
Trading at the Dhaka bourse ended on a mixed note as the benchmark index edged up slightly, while overall market turnover dropped sharply, reflecting cautious investor sentiment.
The DSEX, the broad index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), rose 12 points to close at 5,554. The blue-chip DS30 index also advanced, gaining 8 points to settle at 2,151. Of the total issues traded during the session, 154 advanced, 167 declined and 72 remained unchanged, indicating a mixed market breadth.
However, turnover fell by 31% to Tk565 crore, highlighting subdued trading activity as investors remained watchful amid prevailing market uncertainty.
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Market analysts said the sharp fall in turnover suggests investors are adopting a wait-and-see approach, even as selective buying in large-cap stocks continues to lend support to the index.
According to EBL Securities in its daily market review, the benchmark index managed to settle in positive territory following the previous session's modest pullback, as late-session buying support emerged across the trading board after extended intraday volatility.
Sellers maintained dominance for most of the session as cautious sentiment shaped the broader market pulse. Emerging buying activity in the final hour, particularly in selective large-cap stocks, helped the market close in the green, the EBL review added.
Major index pullers included Beximco Pharmaceuticals, City Bank, Bank Asia, BRAC Bank and Al-Arafah Islami Bank, whose gains supported the upward movement of the index.
On the sectoral front, banking stocks accounted for the highest turnover at 24.6%, followed by pharmaceuticals at 10.8% and textiles at 9.9%.
Sector performance was mixed, with jute rising 1.2%, textile gaining 0.6% and financial institutions adding 0.6%. In contrast, mutual funds fell 1.3%, general insurance declined 0.6% and life insurance slipped 0.4%.
Among individual stocks, Usmania Glass topped the gainers' chart with a 10% rise, followed by Northern Jute and Khulna Printing and Packaging, both up 9.93%. Meghna Condensed Milk and Meghna PET also posted strong gains.
On the losing side, MBL First Mutual Fund dropped 4.76%, while First Finance and Tung Hai Knitting each declined 3.84%.
