Ten most traded stocks accounted for 25 per cent of transactions on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) on Thursday, with BRAC Bank generating the highest turnover.
Market insiders said investors mostly liquidated their holdings in BRAC Bank, fearing possible impact of the single-digit interest rate on the bank's business.
The Bangladesh Bank (BB) has recently instructed the banks to fix a maximum 9.0 per cent interest rate on all loans, except for credit cards, with effect from April 1.
The single-digit rate for the small and medium entrepreneurs is likely to affect some banks, including BRAC Bank, with big exposure to SME and retail loans, said an analyst.
According to DSE data, about 8.11 million shares of BRAC Bank were traded, generating a turnover of nearly Tk 308 million, which was 5.48 per cent of the day's total turnover of Tk 5.61 billion.
The bank's share closed at Tk 37.10 on Thursday, shedding 4.62 per cent over the previous session. Its share price plunged nearly 22 per cent in three straight sessions.
The bank's consolidated earnings per share (EPS) in nine months stood at Tk 2.76 for January-September 2019 as against Tk 3.23 for January-September 2018.
The bank, listed on the DSE in 2007, disbursed 15 per cent stock dividend in 2018.
Its paid-up capital is Tk 12.33 billion and authorised capital is Tk 20 billion while the total number of securities is 1.23 billion.
VFS Thread Dyeing came second on the turnover chart, with shares worth Tk 167 million changing hands. The company's share price rose 2.01 per cent to close at Tk 30.40.
Central Pharma clinched the third spot, with shares worth Tk 129 million changing hands. The company's share closed at Tk 13.80, soaring 9.52 per cent. It was also the day's highest gainer.
Silva Pharma emerged fourth with shares worth Tk 128 million changing hands. The company's share price gained 3.45 per cent to Tk 21 each.
Indo-Bangla Pharma notched the fifth spot, with shares worth Tk 116 million changing hands. Its share closed at Tk 25.40 each, losing 0.39 per cent.
The turnover of Orion Pharma was Tk 115 million. The company's share price fell 3.69 per cent to close at Tk 44.30 each.
National Polymer featured a turnover of more than Tk 113 million. The company's share closed at Tk 73.80, advancing 0.41 per cent.
The turnover of Grameenphone was Tk 113 million. Its share price fell 4.75 per cent to close at Tk 274.40 each.
The Fortune Shoes featured a turnover of Tk 110 million. The company's share closed at Tk 11.20 each, advancing 5.66 per cent.
LafargeHolcim also made its way to the day's top turnover chart, with shares worth Tk 99 million changing hands. The company's share price fell 0.67 per cent to close at Tk 44.10 each.
