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Turnover on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) dipped to Tk 2.89 billion Thursday, hitting nearly 20 months low, as investors were mostly inactive amid persistent liquidity shortage.
Turnover, the crucial indicator of the market, fell nearly 26 per cent to Tk 2.90 billion Thursday, compared to the previous day’s Tk 3.91 billion.
It was also the lowest single-day transaction in the last 20 months since July 11, 2016 when turnover was recorded at Tk 2.72 billion.
“The ongoing liquidity shortage and pessimism kept investors mostly inactive, bringing the turnover below Tk 3.0 billion-mark to a 20-month low,” said an analyst.
The market, however, ended almost flat with the DSEX—the core index of the DSE—losing 2.05 points to settle at 5,907 points.
The two other indices also ended in the red. The DS30 index, comprising blue chips, fell 3.01 points or 0.13 per cent to finish at 2,170. The DSE Shariah Index ended 3.93 points or 0.28 per cent lower to settle at 1,375.
Losers took a modest lead over the gainers, as prices of 161 securities declined, 113 advanced and 57 remained unchanged out of the 331 issues that were traded on the DSE floor.
Square Pharmaceuticals topped the turnover chart with shares worth Tk 143 million changing hands, closely followed by CVO Petrochemicals Refinery, Grameephone, Unique Hotel & Resorts and Pharma Aids.
Libra Infusions was the day’s top gainer, posting a gain of 6.25 per cent while Meghna Pet was the day’s worst loser, losing 9.34 per cent.
Port city bourse CSE also closed almost flat with CSE All Share Price Index – CAPSI-losing 5.38 points to settle at 18,251 while Selective Categories Index - CSCX – advancing 1.20 points to finish at 11,019.
The losers beat the gainers as 98 issues closed lower, 88 nudged higher and 32 remained unchanged on the CSE.
The port city bourse traded 5.25 million shares and mutual fund units worth nearly Tk 237 million in turnover.