Written by The Banking Post
Stocks opened the first trading session of 2026 on a positive note, with investors returning to the market on renewed optimism over political stability and a gradual macroeconomic recovery following the election.
The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) gained momentum early in the session, supported by selective buying in large-cap stocks. Market participants appeared keen to pick up fundamentally strong shares from what many see as a bottomed-out market.
By 12:00 noon, the DSE’s benchmark index had advanced nearly 35 points, or 0.72 per cent, to reach 4,900. The DS30 index, which tracks 30 blue-chip companies, added 11 points to 1,864, while the Shariah-based DSES index rose 7 points to 1,007.
Turnover stood at Tk 1.30 billion by midday, indicating moderate participation at the opening of the year. Market breadth remained strongly positive, with 297 issues advancing against 28 decliners, while 59 shares remained unchanged.
Sonali Paper topped the turnover chart, with shares worth Tk 60 million traded during the session.
The upbeat trend was mirrored at the Chittagong Stock Exchange, where the All Shares Price Index (CASPI) climbed 44 points to 13,655. The Selective Categories Index (CSCX) also rose by 26 points to 8,419.
Overall, the market’s opening performance reflected cautious optimism, as investors looked ahead to a potentially stronger year for equities.
