Written by The Banking Post
Bangladesh’s two major stock exchanges moved in opposite directions on Thursday morning, with the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) posting early gains while the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) extended its downward trend.
In the first hour of trading, the DSEX—the benchmark index of the DSE—added 7 points, reflecting a modest surge in investor confidence. The Shariah-compliant DSES index inched up by 2 points, while the blue-chip DS30 remained flat, indicating selective buying interest concentrated in specific sectors rather than across the board.
Market participation at the DSE was strong in the early session. Out of the traded issues, 195 saw price gains, 108 declined, and 73 remained unchanged. This broad positive movement pushed turnover above Tk 1.30 billion in the first half of the session, signalling active participation from both retail and institutional investors ahead of the weekend.
Market analysts suggest the early rise may be driven by renewed optimism regarding policy measures and better-than-expected corporate disclosures from a few key sectors. However, they also caution that trading remains volatile, as investors continue to assess the broader economic outlook.
Meanwhile, trading at the CSE painted a contrasting picture. The CSE’s broad index fell by 6 points during the same period, marking continued pressure on the port city bourse. Out of all issues traded, 27 advanced while 50 declined and 14 remained unchanged—showing a more cautious sentiment compared to Dhaka.
Turnover at the CSE stood at Tk 70 million in the first hour, significantly lower than the DSE’s activity level. Brokers in Chattogram say lingering uncertainty and weak demand for certain mid- and small-cap stocks contributed to the early decline.
Overall, the day’s early trading indicates a mixed mood across the country’s capital markets: renewed buying momentum in Dhaka contrasting with subdued activity in Chattogram. Investors now await mid-session movements to gauge whether the positive trend at the DSE can hold and whether the CSE can recover from its early dip.
