The ten most traded companies accounted for 26 per cent transactions on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) on Wednesday, with Square Pharmaceuticals bagging the top spot on the turnover chart.
Market analysts said investors got interested in Square Pharma shares amid expectations for high dividend declaration as the company's year-end is June 30.
According to DSE data, a total of 583,919 shares of Square Pharma were traded, generating a turnover of nearly Tk 146 million, making up 3.83 per cent of the DSE's total turnover.
The total turnover on the DSE stood at Tk 3.80 billion, up from Tk 3.17 billion in the previous session.
The second largest market-cap company's share traded between Tk 249.20 and Tk 251, before closing at Tk 250 on Wednesday, losing 0.28 per cent.
The company's consolidated earnings per share (EPS) stood at Tk 3.95 for January-March 2019 as against Tk 3.77 for January-March 2018.
The consolidated EPS was Tk 11.93 for July 2018-March 2019 period as against Tk 11.20 for July 2017-March 2018 period.
The consolidated NAV per share was Tk 81.95 as on March 31, 2019 and Tk 73.28 as on June 30, 2018.
Square Pharma, listed on the DSE in 1995, disbursed 36 per cent cash and 7.0 per cent stock dividend for the year ended on June 30, 2018.
The company's paid-up capital is about Tk 7.89 billion, authorised capital is Tk 10 billion and the total number of securities is 789 million.
The Bangladesh Shipping Corporation came second on the turnover chart, with shares worth Tk 145 million changing hands. The company's share closed at Tk 52.10, soaring 5.25 per cent over the previous day.
The United Power clinched the third spot, with shares worth Tk 121 million changing hands. The company's share price advanced 0.53 per cent to close at Tk 379.4 each.
The Fortune Shoes emerged fourth with shares worth Tk 118 million changing hands. The company's share closed at Tk 38.90, shedding 0.26 per cent.
Beacon Pharma notched the fifth spot, with shares worth Tk 97 million changing hands. The company's share price advanced 5.16 per cent to close at Tk 22.40 each.
The turnover of National Life Insurance was Tk 73 million. The company's share closed at Tk 266.6 each, falling 0.49 per cent.
Rupali Insurance featured a turnover of Tk 69 million. The company's share price rose 4.58 per cent to close at Tk 25.10 each.
Asian Tiger Sandhali Life Growth Fund featured a turnover of Tk 68 million. The fund's unit's closed at Tk 13.10 each, gaining 3.15 per cent.
The turnover of Grameephone was also Tk 68 million. The largest market-cap company's share price fell 0.87 per cent to close at Tk 320.4 each.
The Sea Pearl Beach Resort also made its way to the day's top 10 turnover chart, with shares of Tk 67 million changing hands. The company's share price gained 1.88 per cent to close at Tk 37.9 each.