Stocks end week lower

Stocks on Thursday ended lower in the final trading session of the week as intensified selling pressure near the psychological 5,900-point level offset early gains.

The broad index, DSEX, of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) fell 33.2 points to close at 5,861, down from 5,894 in the previous session.

The market opened on a positive note and remained in the green until mid-session before profit-taking emerged, reflecting investors’ continued caution despite supportive monetary measures and government initiatives aimed at easing the energy crisis.

Despite the decline in indices, market turnover rose 3.3 per cent to Tk 1150cr from Tk 1110 cr in the previous session.

Among sectors, Textile accounted for the largest share of turnover at 20.8 percent, followed by General Insurance at 20.4 percent and Pharmaceuticals at 9.9 percent.

Most sectors ended in the red, with Mutual Fund (-2.2pc), Services (-1.7pc) and Food (-1.6pc) posting the steepest losses. In contrast, Life Insurance and Paper were among the few gainers, each advancing 0.4 percent.

Out of 396 traded issues, 86 advanced, 260 declined and 49 remained unchanged.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also finished lower, with the Selective Categories’ Index (CSCX) falling 40.6 points and the All Share Price Index (CASPI) losing 64.6 points.