Business Report :
Stocks at the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) witnessed a steep decline over the past week, continuing a bearish trend that has gripped the market in recent weeks.
The market suffered losses in all five trading sessions except the final day, which saw a modest rebound, providing little relief to investors increasingly rattled by economic and policy uncertainties.
The benchmark DSEX index tumbled by 147 points, or 3.08 percent, closing the week at 4,638. This sharp fall follows a marginal gain of just 4 points in the previous week, highlighting a lack of investor confidence and signaling a deepening correction phase in the market.
Over the past month, the DSEX has now shed more than 280 points, reflecting mounting pressure from declining corporate earnings, liquidity concerns, and macroeconomic instability.
The blue-chip DS30 index, which tracks the performance of 30 leading and fundamentally strong companies, dropped 47 points to end at 1,730. Meanwhile, the DSES index, which focuses on Shariah-compliant stocks, retreated by 36 points to close at 1,011, according to data released by the DSE.
Turnover remained subdued throughout the week, mirroring the lack of fresh investment and growing investor caution. Total turnover on the premier bourse stood at Tk 1,581 crore for the week, down from Tk 1,722 crore recorded in the previous week. The average daily turnover declined to Tk 263 crore-an 8 percent fall from the prior week’s average of Tk 288 crore-marking one of the lowest weekly averages in recent months.
Investor participation remained largely concentrated in a few specific sectors, a sign that traders are seeking safer bets amid broader market volatility. The banking sector dominated trading, contributing 18 percent to the total weekly turnover, while the food and pharmaceutical sectors followed, each accounting for 11 percent.
Market breadth remained distinctly negative, underlining weak overall sentiment. Out of the 395 issues traded during the week, 303 declined, only 68 advanced, and 24 remained unchanged. This trend echoes the pattern seen in previous weeks where the majority of stocks continued to lose ground.
Among individual stocks, Midland Bank stood out as the most-traded scrip of the week, with shares worth Tk 70.8 crore exchanging hands, buoyed by recent investor interest following its relatively stable financial performance and expansion announcements.
It was followed by Beach Hatchery, Shinepukur Ceramic, Fine Foods, and BRAC Bank, all of which experienced elevated trading volumes driven by speculative interest and short-term positioning.
The DSE’s prolonged downtrend underscores broader concerns in the economy, including persistent inflationary pressures, foreign exchange volatility, and reduced institutional participation.
Market observers have emphasized the need for confidence-building measures, regulatory support, and macroeconomic clarity to help stabilize investor sentiment and revive turnover.
