Written by The Banking Post
The country’s capital market ended last week (30 November–4 December) on a downbeat note, with both indices and turnover falling sharply. The benchmark DSEX Index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) dropped 2.82%, while average daily turnover slid by nearly 22%, according to the DSE’s weekly market update.
Indices take a hit
Market data show the DSEX shed 141.57 points to close at 4,887, down from 5,028 a week earlier. The DS30 Index, which tracks blue-chip stocks, declined 42.48 points to 1,892. The Shariah Index (DSES) fell by 32 points to 1,025.
Out of 383 traded securities—including companies, mutual funds and corporate bonds—prices advanced for 45 issues, declined for 325 and remained unchanged for 13. Another 29 securities saw no trades.
Stocks of Islami Bank, Square Pharmaceuticals, LafargeHolcim Bangladesh, Walton Hi-Tech Industries and Padma Oil contributed most to the index fall during the week.
Turnover sinks
The DSE posted an average daily turnover of Tk 411.46 crore last week, down from Tk 525.11 crore the previous week—marking a 21.64% week-on-week decline.
Analysts say growing concerns over political uncertainty and ongoing reforms in the financial sector have kept investors on edge, prompting a cautious stance and dragging the market down.
Sectoral performance
The textile sector dominated trading, accounting for 14.60% of the total turnover. Engineering followed with 13.38%, while pharmaceuticals & chemicals captured 11.03%. The food & allied sector contributed 10.48%, and fuel & power accounted for 9.56%.
All sectors delivered negative returns during the week. The steepest fall came from the services & real estate sector, which plunged 11.88%. Financial institutions dropped 7%, life insurance 6.14%, paper & printing 5.70%, and IT 5.54%.
Chittagong market also slides
The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) experienced a similar downturn. The CASPI Index dipped 2.07% to 13,747 points, while the CSCX Index fell 1.96% to 8,473.
Turnover at the CSE stood at Tk 57.74 crore last week, sharply lower than Tk 110.93 crore a week earlier. Of the 286 traded issues, prices rose for 69, declined for 200, and remained unchanged for 17.
