DSE turnover snaps on political uncertainty

Turnover on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) came down to Tk 3.0 billion Thursday, dipping to 19 months low, as participation of investors on the trading floor was thin due to security concern.

The presence of investors at the brokerage houses was thin as the entire capital has been wrapped in an unprecedented security blanket following the Zia Orphanage Trust case verdict.

Turnover, the crucial indicator of the market, fell 24 per cent to Tk 3.0 billion, compared to the previous day’s Tk 3.98 billion.

It was the lowest single-day transaction in the 19 months since July 11, 2016 year when turnover was recorded at Tk 2.72 billion.

Market operators said the ongoing liquidity shortage coupled with fear of political jitter kept investors mostly inactive, bringing the turnover to below Tk 3.0 billion-mark.

However, DSEX, the key index of the Dhaka bourse, went up by more than 29 points or 0.49 per cent to settle at 5,965.

The second bourse - the Chittagong Stock Exchange - (CSE) also ended higher with CSE All Shares Price Index (CAPSI) -- advancing 80 points to finish at 18,424.

The Selective Categories Index of the Chittagong bourse -- CSCX -- also gained 46 points to reach at 11,128 points.

Gainers beat losers as 107 issues closed higher, 78 nudged higher and 36 remained unchanged on the CSE.

The port city bourse traded 5.11 million shares and mutual fund units worth Tk 475 million in turnover.

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