Trading turnover on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) increased on Sunday, the first trading session of the week, driven by a strong rally in mutual fund units. However, losses in most large-cap stocks resulted in mixed performance across the market’s key indices.

According to market participants, investor interest in mutual funds has been rising over the past few trading sessions, supported by relatively low prices and expectations of attractive dividend payouts. Buying pressure intensified on Sunday, with several mutual fund units hitting their upper circuit limits shortly after trading began. While the rally improved overall market sentiment, declines in heavyweight stocks limited gains in the benchmark indices.

At the close of trading, prices of 193 listed securities and mutual fund units advanced, while 149 declined and 45 remained unchanged.

The mutual fund sector posted the strongest performance of the day. Of the 34 listed mutual funds, 32 gained, one declined and one remained unchanged.

Among ‘A’ category companies, 95 advanced, 86 declined and 11 remained unchanged. In the ‘B’ category, 43 gained, 24 lost ground and seven were unchanged. Meanwhile, in the ‘Z’ category, 55 companies rose, 39 fell and 27 closed unchanged.

Despite the broader market recording more gainers than losers, the indices ended mixed. The benchmark DSEX index edged up 0.20 points to close at 5,895. The DS30 index, which tracks blue-chip stocks, fell 3 points to 2,213, while the DSE Shariah Index declined 2 points to 1,192.

Market activity improved significantly, with total turnover rising to Tk 12.58 billion, compared with Tk 10.43 billion in the previous trading session.

Malek Spinning topped the turnover chart with shares worth Tk 418.4 million changing hands. ACI Formulations ranked second with Tk 246.8 million in turnover, followed by Asiatic Laboratories with Tk 232.1 million.

Other actively traded stocks included Beximco, Summit Alliance Port, IT Consultants, Sharp Industries, Coppertech, IPDC Finance and Saiham Cotton.

Meanwhile, the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also posted a positive breadth, with its CASPI index gaining 33 points. Of the 227 issues traded, 127 advanced, 66 declined and 34 remained unchanged.

However, turnover at the CSE dropped sharply to Tk 98.2 million from Tk 461.5 million in the previous trading session.