Dhaka:The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) began the week on a downtrend as investors exhibited caution due to concerns over weak corporate earnings and dividend announcements, coupled with escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the DSEX, which is the benchmark index of the DSE, fell by 24.5 points, closing at 5,451 points compared to 5,476 points in the previous trading session. Despite opening higher with buying interest across various sectors in the first half of the session, increased selling pressure later in the day erased early gains, resulting in a negative close.
Market turnover increased by 6.6 percent, reaching Tk 570 crore from Tk 530 crore in the prior session, indicating heightened trading activity even as the market trended downward. Textile stocks led the turnover, accounting for 23.9 percent, with miscellaneous companies and general insurance following at 11.1 percent and 8.8 percent, respectively.
Most sectors experienced negative returns, with general insurance suffering the largest decline of 3.5 percent, followed by mutual funds dropping 2.9 percent, and life insurance down by 2.2 percent. Conversely, paper stocks saw a 1.0 percent increase, fuel and power advanced 0.8 percent, and miscellaneous stocks rose by 0.6 percent.
Out of the 395 issues traded, 262 declined, 77 advanced, and 56 remained unchanged. The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also closed lower, with its Selective Categories' Index (CSCX) down 17.8 points and the All Share Price Index (CASPI) dropping 25.7 points.