Stocks opened higher on Monday as buoyant investors were showing their buying appetite on large-cap issues amid increased optimism.
Following the previous five sessions’ rising trend, DSEX, the prime index of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), went up by 31.26 points or 0.42 per cent to stand at 7,387 points within the first 30 minutes of the trading at 10:30 am.
Two other DSE indices also saw a rising trend till then. The DS30 index, comprising blue chips, jumped 24.64 points to stand at 2,766 and the Shariah Index (DSES) surged 7.96 points to stand at 1,601 points till then.
Turnover, another important indicator of the market, stood at Tk 4.40 billion within the first 30 minutes of the trading.
Market analysts said the optimistic investors continued to show their buying interest on large-cap stocks ahead of earnings and dividend declarations.
Large-cap stocks such as BATBC, ICB, Walton, LafargeHolcim, Beximco, United Power and Beximco Pharma led the gain of index till then.
However, some investors are also opting for booking profit on small-cap stocks, they said.
Of the issues traded till then, 158 advanced, 146 declined and 63 issues remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor.
LafargeHolcim was the most traded stock till filing of this report with shares worth Tk 350 million changing hands, closely followed by National Housing Finance, IFAD Autos, BATBC and Orion Phrama.
The Chittagong Stock Exchange also opened higher with its All Shares Price Index (CASPI)—gaining 105 points to stand at 21,615 while the Selective Categories Index – CSCX advanced 64 points to reach 12,981, also at 10:30 am.
Of the issues traded till then 56 advanced, 55 declined and 16 remained unchanged with Tk 81 million in turnover.