Stocks post marginal gain amid choppy trading

Stocks posted a marginal gain on Monday amid choppy trading as investors were active on both sides of the trading fence throughout the session.

DSEX, the prime index of the DSE, went up by 10.61 points or 0.21 per cent to settle at 4,959, which is the highest level of DSEX in nearly one year since September 29, 2019.

Market operators said lower returns on the money market, gradual economic recovery and strong regulatory actions against wrongdoers continued to attract investors to put fresh funds on stocks.

The stock market regulator has taken a number of initiatives including restructuring the boards of ‘Z’ category companies for bringing positive changes in their operations, changed the definition of ‘Z’ category to ensure accountability of the companies.

The securities regulator on Sunday asked the mutual funds to disclose details of their investment in listed and non-listed securities in the quarterly reports to check anomalies in the sector.

Following such regulatory moves, the enthusiastic investors continued to show their buying appetite on sector-wise stocks amid growing confidence on the market, said a merchant banker.

However, the risk-averse investors opted for booking quick- profit on sector-wise stocks which saw significant gain in recent price surge, he said.

Two other indices also edged up. The DS30 index, comprising blue chips, advanced 7.07 points to finish at 1,723 and the DSE Shariah Index gained 1.64 points to close at 1,142.

Turnover, a crucial indicator of the market, fell below Tk 10 billion-mark and amounted to Tk 9.76 billion, which was 5.0 per cent lower than the previous day’s turnover of Tk 10.25 billion.

Losers, however, outnumbered the gainers, as out of 357 issues traded, 182 closed lower, 130 ended higher while 45 issues remained unchanged on the DSE floor.

A total number of 193,970 trades were executed in the day’s trading session with a trading volume of 367.70 million shares and mutual fund units.

The market-cap on the premier bourse rose to Tk 3,736 billion on Monday, from Tk 3,730 billion in the previous session.

The pharmaceuticals sector continued to dominate the turnover chart with Beximco Pharma topped the turnover chart with shares worth Tk 604 million changing hands, followed by Beximco, Brac Bank, Orion Pharma and Delta Brac Housing and Finance.

GPH Ispat was the best performer, posting a gain of 10 per cent following the news that its new Tk 23.90 billion plant began production using state-of-the-art technology on a trial basis.

Meghna Pet Industries was the worst loser, losing 9.81 per cent.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange also ended higher with its All Shares Price Index (CASPI)—gaining 55 points to close at 14,169 and the Selective Categories Index – CSCX advancing 34 points to close at 8,542.

Of the issues traded, 112 gained, 125 declined and 32 remained unchanged on the CSE.

The port city bourse traded 16.60 million shares and mutual fund units with turnover value of Tk 312 million.

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