B Mirror Report: As investor confidence declined due to growing worries about potential energy shortages and inflationary pressures associated with the escalating Middle East crisis, the benchmark index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSEX) closed the truncated trading week on a downward trend.

Fears of a protracted disruption in the energy supply were raised by the ongoing crisis, and market investors expressed growing discomfort over changes in the price of fuel globally. Bangladesh is still susceptible to such external shocks since it relies heavily on imported fuel, much of which is shipped over the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

Analysts noted that geopolitical tensions and their broader economic implications led investors to take a cautious and risk-averse approach, resulting in sustained selling pressure across the market.

Trading activity was limited to just two sessions during the week, as the market remained closed for two days due to Eid-ul-Fitr and one day in observance of Independence Day.

The week began on Tuesday with widespread selling, causing the index to drop by 1.29 percent. Although the following session recorded slight gains, it was not enough to offset the earlier decline.

By the end of the week, the DSEX had fallen by 37 points, or 0.69 percent, closing at 5,316. The DS30 index, which tracks 30 leading companies, also declined by 31 points to 2,019. Meanwhile, the DSES index, representing Shariah-compliant firms, slipped by 7 points to settle at 1,074.

Market liquidity showed a modest increase despite overall weak sentiment. Total turnover at the DSE reached Tk 11 billion, compared to Tk 9.80 billion in the previous week. As a result, average daily turnover rose by 11 percent to Tk 5.5 billion, up from Tk 4.90 billion.

Sector-wise, most industries recorded losses. The telecom sector experienced the sharpest fall, declining by 3.14 percent, followed by banking at 1.92 percent. Other sectors, including non-bank financial institutions, power, food and allied, and pharmaceuticals, also ended in negative territory.

Among individual stocks, Acme Laboratories led trading with a turnover of Tk 374 million. Other actively traded stocks included BRAC Bank, City Bank, Sea Pearl Beach, and Intech.

Meanwhile, the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also continued its downward movement. The All Shares Price Index (CASPI) dropped by 114 points to 14,915, while the Selective Categories Index (CSCX) fell by 64 points to 9,101.

The port city bourse recorded trading of 13.57 million shares and mutual fund units, with a total turnover of Tk 388 million.