Stocks inched up on Wednesday, with turnover remaining below Tk 1.0 billion-mark, as most of the investors were cautious amid worsening situation of the deadly virus.
DSEX, the key index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), went up by 1.24 points or 0.03 per cent to close at 3,961 over the previous day.
The DSE core index is hovering between 3,950 and 3,970 points in the past 12 sessions as most of the investors were reluctant to make any fresh investment amid growing tension over the Covid-19 pandemic.
Market analysts said the worsening pandemic situation has made the market almost buyer-less in recent days as the outbreak is going to put a long-lasting adverse impact on the country’s economy.
Turnover remained below Tk 1.0 billion-mark for the last one week and amounted to Tk 888 million on Wednesday, a 36 per cent higher than the previous day, as the investors were not showing enthusiasm for buying shares.
Most of the investors’ are adopting cautious stance and refrained from making fresh investments amid the worsening situation of the Covid-19 pandemic, said a leading broker.
Most of the shares remained stuck at the trading floor. Of the issues traded, 232 remained unchanged while only 18 issues advanced and 19 declined on the DSE trading floor.
Two other indices also saw fractional gain. The DS30 index, comprising blue chips, advanced 0.07 point to finish at 1,325 and the DSE Shariah Index gained 0.43 points to close at 918.
A total number of 9,964 trades were executed in the day’s trading session with a trading volume of 27.93 million shares and mutual fund units.
Linde Bangladesh topped the turnover chart with shares worth Tk 43 million changing hands, followed by Beximco Pharma, Indo-Bangla Pharma, Beximco and National Bank.
Eastern Lubricants was the day’s best performer, posting a gain of 6.29 per cent while Zea Bangla Sugar Mills was the worst loser, losing 3.93 per cent.
The Chittagong Stock Exchange edged higher with its All Shares Price Index (CASPI)—gaining 16 points to close at 11,259 and the Selective Categories Index - CSCX –advancing 10 points to finish at 6,821.
Of the issues traded, 15 gained, 14 declined and 53 remained unchanged on the CSE.
The port city bourse traded 2.56 million shares and mutual fund units worth Tk 66 million in turnover.
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