Dhaka stocks extended their losing streak to a second consecutive session on Thursday as intensified profit-taking and investor caution over potential changes to margin rules weighed on market sentiment.
The DSEX, the benchmark index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), fell 13.4 points, or 0.23%, to settle at 5,884 points, down from 5,897 in the previous session.
Trading remained volatile throughout the session as investors actively shifted positions. However, selling pressure in several large-cap stocks during the final hour pushed the broader indices into negative territory.
Meanwhile, buying interest in insurance and momentum-driven stocks continued, as some investors sought short-term gains from selected issues.
Market turnover declined 13.8% to Tk 930 crore from Tk 1,070 crore in the previous session, indicating a slowdown in trading activity.
Textile stocks dominated turnover, accounting for 24.9% of total transactions, followed by general insurance at 16.4% and pharmaceuticals at 10.3%.
Among sectors, services gained 0.8%, textiles 0.7% and general insurance 0.5%, posting the strongest gains. In contrast, travel stocks fell 1.4%, while ceramics and food stocks each declined 0.9%, exerting the most downward pressure on the market.
Of the 395 issues traded on the DSE, 132 advanced, 182 declined and 81 remained unchanged.
The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also closed lower. Its Selective Categories’ Index (CSCX) dropped 18.1 points, while the All Share Price Index (CASPI) declined 7.8 points.
