Stocks fell marginally on Tuesday, the first day after Eid holidays, as investors were mostly cautious amid growing macroeconomic worries.
The market opened on a positive note and the key index rose about 19 points within the first 10 minutes. But, the rest of the session went down steadily, ultimately ending over 11 points lower.
The participation of investors was also very thin on the trading floor as most of the investors are yet to return to Dhaka after celebrating Eid festival in their village homes.
DSEX, the key index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), went down by 11.47 points to settle at 6,355, after closing almost flat in the last session before Eid holidays.
Turnover, the crucial indicator of the market, stood at Tk 6.79 billion, which was 14 per cent lower than the previous day’s tally of Tk 7.88 billion.
Market operators said most investors remained cautious due to the global fuel price hike and possible impact on the country’s economy.
The ongoing bearish sentiment made investors cautious while the news of a deepening energy crisis and frequent power cuts across the country kept investors worried, said a leading broker.
Two other indices dropped. The DS30 Index, which consists of the blue-chip companies, fell 9.62 points to close at 2,284 and the DSES Index, which represents Shariah-based companies, shed 2.26 points to finish at 1,385.
Losers took a modest lead over the gainers as out of 381 issues traded, 209 declined, 128 advanced and 44 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor.
IPDC Finance was the most-traded stock with shares worth Tk 631 million changing hands, followed by Beximco (Tk 513 million), Fortune Shoes (Tk 355 million), Intraco Refueling Station (Tk 191 million) and Titas Gas (Tk 131 million).
Golden Son was the top gainer, posting a 9.77 per cent gain while Janata Insurance was the day’s worst loser, losing 6.59 per cent following its price adjustment after the record date.
The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also closed lower with the CSE All Share Price Index – CASPI –losing 64 points to settle at 18,687 and the Selective Categories Index – CSCX –shedding 40 points to close at 11,198.
Of the issues traded, 151 declined, 92 advanced and 28 issues remained unchanged on the CSE.
The port city’s bourse traded 6.80 million shares and mutual fund units with turnover value worth Tk 196 million.
