Written by The Banking Post
Turnover on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) fell to its lowest level in over a month on Tuesday as investors adopted a wait-and-see stance ahead of corporate earnings announcements.
Daily transactions dropped 4% to Tk 6.74 billion, the weakest since August 12, from Tk 7.06 billion a day earlier, according to exchange data.
Market sentiment stayed muted as institutional and high-net-worth investors slowed fresh buying amid mixed expectations from June-closing firms, said Md Sajedul Islam of Shyamol Equity Management. Retail participants also preferred to hold cash, limiting liquidity.
Still, indices finished higher thanks to selective buying. The DSEX benchmark rose 34.9 points, or 0.63%, to 5,509. The DSES Shariah index advanced eight points to 1,194, while the DS30 blue-chip gauge edged down 0.61 points to 2,134.
Banking shares dominated turnover (16%), followed by pharmaceuticals (12%) and engineering (11%). Gains in Islami Bank, Walton, United Commercial Bank, NCC Bank and Crown Cement added about 20 points to the main index. Crown Cement topped the gainers’ list, climbing 9.86%, while People’s Leasing lost 8.33%.
Lovello Ice Cream led activity with Tk 186 million in trades, trailed by Summit Alliance Port, Robi Axiata, Khan Brothers PP Woven Bag, and Sonali Papers.
Bond yields offered a bright spot: 10-year government paper slid to 9.89% from 10.26% in the latest auction, hinting at possible policy easing to revive sentiment.
The Chittagong Stock Exchange also inched up, with the CASPI gaining 67 points to 15,434 and CSCX adding 45 to 9,478 on turnover of Tk 118 million.
