Stocks ended marginally lower on Monday, after the previous day’s sharp fall, as the investors remained cautious amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
DSEX, the core index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange, went down by 6.26 points or 0.09 per cent to settle at 6,691, after losing over 67 points in the previous day.
Two other indices, however, edged higher with the DSE 30 Index, comprising blue chips, gaining 1.30 points to finish at 2,436 and the DSE Shariah Index (DSES) saw a fractional loss of 0.21 points to close at 1,441.
Turnover, the crucial indicator of the market, stood at Tk 6.34 billion, which was 2.92 per cent higher than the previous day’s 11-month lowest turnover of Tk 6.16 billion.
Market analysts said investors remained worried about the possible adverse impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on the country’s economy while some were reluctant to make fresh investments in stocks ahead of the holy Ramadan.
Losers took a strong lead over the gainers as out of 380 issues traded, 242 declined, 100 advanced and 38 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor.
Beximco topped the turnover list with shares worth Tk 456 million changing hands, followed by Dragon Sweater (Tk 266 million), BDCOM Online (Tk 232), Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (Tk 221 million) Silco Pharma (Tk 161 million).
Low-cap companies continued to dominate the gainers' chart with Gemini Sea Food being the top gainer, posting a 7.83 per cent rise, while Aamra Technologies was the day’s worst loser, losing 1.99 per cent.
The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) closed lower with the CSE All Share Price Index – CASPI –losing 39 points to settle at 19,616 and the Selective Categories Index – CSCX – shedding 23 points to close at 11,767.
Of the issues traded, 198 declined, 57 advanced and 28 issues remained unchanged on the CSE.
The port city’s bourse traded 6.76 million shares and mutual fund units with a turnover value worth over Tk 171 million.
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