Stocks slipped into the red Sunday, snapping a six-day rally, but turnover surpassed Tk 22 billion-mark after 11 months, as investors were active on both sides of the trading fence.
Turnover, a crucial indicator of the market, stood at Tk 22.96 billion on the premier bourse, a further buck by 21.54 per cent over the previous day’s mark of Tk 18.89 billion.
It happens to be the biggest single-day transaction since October 7, 2021, when the turnover scaled a record amount of Tk 24.97 billion.
The market opened higher and the core index jumped 77 points in the first 90 minutes of trading. But the rest of the session went down steadily amid profit booking tendency among investors.
Finally, DSEX, the benchmark index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), went down by 18.67 points or 0.28 per cent to settle at 6,489.94, after gaining 228 points in the past six trading days.
DS30 Index, comprising blue chips, dropped 2.07 points to finish at 2,303. However, DSE Shariah Index (DSES) gained 1.16 points to close at 1,410.
Market analysts said stocks fell, triggered by profit-booking by retail investors on the quick-gaining stocks following the recent upsurge.
The market witnessed some natural correction, after a six-day rally, creating some scope for investors to pour fresh funds and reposition their investment, he said.
Losers took a strong lead over the gainers, as out of 375 issues traded, 217 closed lower, 95 higher and 63 others remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor.
Beximco became the most-traded stock with shares worth Tk 1.18 billion changing hands.
Samorita Hospital was the day’s top gainer, gaining 9.97 per cent while Delta Life Insurance Company was the day’s worst loser, shedding 9.85 per cent.
The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended lower after six days with the CSE All Share Price Index (CASPI) losing 74 points to settle at 19,081 and its Selective Categories Index (CSCX) falling 44 points to close at 11,436.
Of the issues traded, 166 declined, 93 advanced and 42 issues remained unchanged.
The port-city bourse traded 10.75 million shares and mutual fund units with a turnover value of Tk 359 million.