DSEX falls close to 5,000-point level amid persistent losses

The key index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) has fallen close to the 5,000-point level amid persistent losses, raising concerns among investors that the DSEX could slip below the threshold if the downturn continues.

On Sunday, the first trading day of the week, indices at both the DSE and the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) began to decline from the opening hour. At the end of the day’s trading, the DSEX dropped by 75 points to close at 5,044.

Investors fear that another day of similar losses could push the benchmark index below 5,000 points — a level last seen in July.

 “As the index fell below 5,000 points in July, the market gradually started recovering. But after two consecutive weeks of decline, it’s once again heading back toward that level,” said investor Asadur Rahman.

Another investor, Sabbir Hossain, said continuous price drops have eroded investor confidence. “Many are losing trust in the market and are reluctant to make new investments,” he said.

Market insiders noted that many fundamentally strong stocks remain undervalued, discouraging fresh buying while some investors are selling at losses, further worsening sentiment.

Apart from the key index, other major indicators also suffered sharp declines. The Shariah-based DSES lost 23 points (2.20 per cent), while the blue-chip DS30 index shed 29 points (1.51 per cent).

Out of 396 issues traded on the DSE, prices declined for 314, advanced for 44, and remained unchanged for 38.

Across all three categories — A, B, and Z — most companies saw price declines. In the A-category, considered the segment of fundamentally strong firms, 175 issues lost value against 28 gainers.

The DSE’s daily turnover stood at Tk 4.42 billion, slightly down from Tk 4.44 billion in the previous session. In the block market, 21 companies traded shares worth Tk 110 million, with Lovello Ice Cream topping the list at Tk 24.1 million.

National Housing Finance PLC emerged as the day’s top gainer with a price increase of over 9 per cent, while Monno Agro & General Machinery Ltd saw the steepest fall, losing more than 14 per cent.

The CSE also witnessed a steep decline, with its overall index dropping 194 points. Among the traded issues, prices advanced for 31 companies, declined for 134, and remained unchanged for 13.

The turnover at the port city bourse crossed Tk 100 million, up slightly from Tk 99.4 million in the previous session.

AFC Agro Biotech Ltd gained 10 per cent to lead the CSE, while Delta Spinners Ltd fell by the same margin to end at the bottom.