Written by The Banking Post
Stocks ended lower in a holiday-shortened week as mounting concerns over energy supply disruptions and inflation dampened investor sentiment.
The benchmark index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSEX) fell 37 points, or 0.69%, to close at 5,316, with investors turning cautious amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Market participants grew increasingly wary of fuel price volatility and a potential energy crunch. Bangladesh’s reliance on imported fuel—much of it routed through the Strait of Hormuz—has heightened fears of supply disruptions.
Analysts said geopolitical uncertainty and its macroeconomic implications pushed investors into a risk-averse mode, triggering selling pressure across sectors.
Trading muted by holidays
The market operated for only two sessions during the week, remaining closed for Eid-ul-Fitr and Independence Day.
Trading resumed with broad-based declines, dragging the index down 1.29% in the first session. যদিও the following session saw modest gains, it failed to offset earlier losses.
Broad-based losses
Other key indices also ended in the red. The DS30 index, which tracks blue-chip companies, dropped 31 points to 2,019, while the Shariah-based DSES index lost 7 points to settle at 1,074.
Most major sectors posted declines. The telecom sector led losses with a 3.14% drop, followed by banking, non-bank financial institutions, power, food and allied, and pharmaceuticals.
Turnover edges up
Market activity remained subdued হলেও liquidity showed a slight improvement. Weekly turnover rose to Tk 11 billion from Tk 9.80 billion in the previous week.
Average daily turnover increased 11% to Tk 5.5 billion.
Acme Laboratories topped the turnover chart at Tk 374 million, followed by BRAC Bank, City Bank, Sea Pearl Beach Resort, and Intech.
CSE mirrors downturn
The Chittagong Stock Exchange also extended losses during the week.
The CASPI index fell 114 points to 14,915, while the CSCX index shed 64 points to close at 9,101.
The port city bourse recorded a turnover of Tk 388 million, with 13.57 million shares and mutual fund units traded.
Despite a slight uptick in turnover, analysts say the overall market mood remains fragile, with investors closely watching global developments and their impact on fuel prices and inflation.
