Bangladesh’s stock market opened the week on a weak note as intense selling pressure drove share prices lower across most sectors, erasing the gains recorded in the previous session.

Investor sentiment deteriorated amid concerns that ongoing domestic economic challenges could weigh on corporate earnings, prompting investors to reduce their exposure to equities.

The DSEX, the benchmark index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), lost 41.4 points to close at 5,614, compared with 5,656 in the previous session.

Selling pressure persisted throughout most of the trading session. Although the index staged a brief recovery attempt around the middle of the session, renewed selling in the final hours pushed the market deeper into negative territory.

Trading activity, however, picked up despite the market downturn. DSE turnover increased 10.9 percent to Tk 5.2 billion, from Tk 4.7 billion in the previous session.

Textile stocks led the market in turnover, accounting for 31 percent of total transactions. General insurance stocks followed with 10 percent, while banking shares contributed 9.5 percent.

Losses were widespread, with nearly all sectors ending in negative territory. Mutual funds recorded the biggest decline of 3.1 percent, followed by services at 2.7 percent and ceramics at 2.1 percent.

Only a handful of sectors managed to advance. Jute stocks gained 3.3 percent, while travel and engineering rose 0.3 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively.

Market breadth also reflected the bearish trend. Of the 395 securities traded on the DSE, 305 declined, 47 advanced and 43 remained unchanged.

The negative trend extended to the Chattogram Stock Exchange (CSE), where the CSCX fell 55.6 points and the CASPI declined 75.3 points.