Written by The Banking Post
Dhaka stocks bounced back this week after two straight weeks of decline, as bargain hunters poured money into fundamentally strong companies that had seen sharp corrections in recent sessions.
Analysts said the rebound came as many good stocks fell to attractive price levels, prompting investors to take fresh positions. The rally was led by large-cap shares like Beximco Pharma, Beacon Pharma, Orion Infusion, Kohinoor Chemicals, and Walton, which together accounted for nearly 25 points of the weekly index gain.
The Dhaka Stock Exchange’s benchmark DSEX index added 25 points, or 0.46 per cent, to close the week at 5,375 — recovering part of the 93-point loss it suffered over the past two weeks. The blue-chip DS30 index gained 16 points to 2,089 while the Shariah-based DSES advanced 17 points to 1,180.
Market sentiment was briefly dampened mid-week after the securities regulator floated draft amendments to margin rules for public feedback, sparking cautious trading in the banking sector. However, buying appetite re-emerged in the week’s final sessions, keeping the overall market in positive territory.
Turnover surged as well, rising 32 per cent week-on-week to Tk 45.36 billion, with an average daily turnover of Tk 9.07 billion. Pharmaceuticals dominated the turnover board, contributing 17.7 per cent of weekly trade, followed by textiles (11.6 per cent) and banking (11.5 per cent).
Out of 394 issues traded, 241 advanced, 129 declined, and 24 remained unchanged. Bangladesh Shipping Corporation topped the turnover chart with Tk 1.68 billion worth of shares changing hands, followed by Beximco Pharma, Orion Infusion, City Bank, and Beach Hatchery.
Meanwhile, junk stocks once again drew unusual investor attention. Four loss-making companies — Shyampur Sugar Mills, Zeal Bangla Sugar Mills, Zahintex Industries, and Aziz Pipes — featured among the week’s top gainers, soaring between 19 and 25 per cent, raising concerns over speculative trading.
The Chittagong Stock Exchange also rebounded, with its CASPI index gaining 53 points to 15,025 and the CSCX up 27 points to 9,218. Weekly turnover on the port-city bourse stood at Tk 689 million, with 29.9 million shares and mutual fund units changing hands.
