B Mirror Report: Stocks returned to positive territory on Wednesday after a brief pause, driven by active buying by bargain hunters and continued investor optimism over market prospects and hopes for a favourable resolution to the ongoing Middle East conflict.

The benchmark Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) index, DSEX, rose by 16.1 points, or 0.29 percent, to close at 5,622, up from 5,606 in the previous trading session.

Trading started on a subdued note, extending the cautious mood of the previous session. However, buying interest gradually strengthened as bargain hunters entered the market and maintained support throughout the day. Strong buying pressure during the final trading hours eventually pushed the market into positive territory.

Market turnover also edged higher, increasing by 1.3 percent to Tk 12.1 billion, compared with Tk 12.0 billion in the previous session.

Among the sectors, textile stocks dominated turnover, accounting for 15.9 percent of total transactions, followed by engineering (11.8 percent) and pharmaceuticals (10.1 percent).

Most sectors ended the day with gains. The information technology sector led the rally, advancing 3.3 percent, followed by services (3.1 percent) and ceramics (2.0 percent).

In contrast, the miscellaneous sector declined by 3.0 percent, while the life insurance and general insurance sectors fell by 0.9 percent and 0.8 percent, respectively.

Meanwhile, trading at the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) ended in the red. The Selective Categories Index (CSCX) and the All Share Price Index (CASPI) fell by 17.2 points and 22.0 points, respectively, at the close of trading.