The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) closed marginally lower on Wednesday as investors remained cautious amid concerns over gas and power shortages, corporate earnings and recent regulatory actions.

The DSEX fell 1 point to 5,538, while the DS30 index declined 5 points to 2,103. The DSES index, however, gained 1 point to 1,111.

Trading activity also weakened, with turnover dropping nearly 12% to Tk520 crore from Tk590 crore in the previous session.

Of the 387 securities traded, 165 advanced, 150 declined and 72 remained unchanged.

Market participants said ongoing gas and electricity shortages are raising concerns about industrial production and corporate profitability, prompting investors to hold back from taking fresh positions.

Investors are also closely watching upcoming corporate earnings and waiting for clearer signals on the market’s direction, they said.

Recent interventions by the stock exchange over large buy and sell orders, along with inspections and investigations at several brokerage houses, have added to investor uncertainty.

The DSE Brokers Association of Bangladesh (DBA) has urged the exchange to ensure that inspections and investigations are conducted in a balanced manner and do not disrupt the normal operations of brokerage firms.

EBL Securities said in its daily market commentary that the market remained range-bound, with large-cap stocks coming under pressure amid subdued participation. It said investors were looking for fresh positive catalysts to support a sustained recovery.

Despite a higher number of advancing stocks, weakness in several large-cap shares kept the benchmark index in negative territory.

Textiles dominated turnover, accounting for 31.2% of the day’s total, followed by general insurance at 13% and banking at 11.9%.

Textiles gained 2%, leading sectoral performance, while mutual funds and jute rose 1.6% and 1.1%, respectively. Ceramics declined 1.4%, life insurance fell 0.7% and financial institutions lost 0.3%.

ICB AMCL Sonali Bank Limited 1st Mutual Fund gained 10%, making it the top gainer, followed by Sena Insurance, up 9.98%, and Saiham Textile Mills, up 9.76%.

SK Trims & Industries fell 5.11%, while Metro Spinning and Golden Son declined 3.81% and 3.73%, respectively.

Envoy Textiles topped the turnover chart, followed by Sharp Industries and Saiham Textile Mills.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange also ended lower. The CASPI fell 59.1 points to 14,869, while the CSCX declined 42.9 points to 9,088. Turnover stood at Tk87.27 crore.

Market observers expect trading to remain cautious in the near term unless concerns over utility shortages, earnings and regulatory developments ease.