Ten most-traded companies accounted for 24 per cent of transactions on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) on Thursday, with Khulna Power Company Ltd. generating the highest turnover.
Market analysts said investors showed their appetite for Khulna Power shares amid renewed hopes, as the central bank announced capital market bailout package for selective stocks.
Recently, the power generation company declared that it would acquire 35 per cent ordinary shares of United Payra Power Plant, subject to approval of relevant authorities, which also encouraged the investors.
According to the DSE data, some 5.24 million shares of Khulna Power were traded, generating a turnover of more than Tk 286 million, which was 3.91 per cent of the day's total turnover of Tk 7.30 billion.
The company's share closed at Tk 55.70 on Thursday, soaring 6.30 per cent over the previous day.
The power generation company's share traded between Tk 34.90 and Tk 68.20 in the last one year.
The company's earnings per share (EPS) stood at Tk 1.96 in six months for July-December 2019 as against Tk 2.28 for the same period a year ago.
The company disbursed 40 per cent cash dividend for the year ended on June 30, 2019. In 2018, it paid 30 per cent cash and 10 per cent stock dividend.
The company's paid-up capital is Tk 3.97 billion and authorised capital is Tk 7.0 billion while the total number of securities is 397.41 million.
The sponsor-directors own 69.99 per cent stake in the company, while institutional investors own 11.97 per cent, foreign investors 0.74 per cent and the general public 17.30 per cent as on December 31, 2019, the DSE data showed.
LafargeHolcim came second on the turnover chart, with shares worth Tk 239 million changing hands. The company's share price gained 0.41 per cent to close at Tk 48.50 each.
Indo-Bangla Pharma clinched the third spot, with shares worth Tk 197 million changing hands. The company's share closed at Tk 24.90, climbing 4.62 per cent.
Shepherd Industries emerged as the fourth, with shares worth Tk 192 million changing hands. The company's share fell 2.72 per cent to Tk 25 each.
SS Steel notched the fifth spot, with shares worth Tk 163 million changing hands. The company's share closed at Tk 13.30, gaining 4.72 per cent.
The turnover of Orion Infusion was Tk 153 million. The company's share price shed 0.86 per cent to close at Tk 69 each.
Doreen Power featured a turnover of Tk 125 million. The company's share closed at Tk 65.70 each, soaring 6.31 per cent.
The turnover of ADN Telecom was Tk 124 million. Its share price fell 1.29 per cent to close at Tk 45.90 each.
Summit Power featured a turnover of Tk 123 million. The company's share closed at Tk 41.70 each, advancing 1.71 per cent over the previous day.
Beximco also made its way to the day's top turnover chart, with shares worth Tk 118 million changing hands. The company's share price rose 5.52 per cent to close at Tk 15.30 each.