DSEX falls to four-month low

Stocks ended lower on Wednesday as the market remained largely dominated by selling pressure.

The benchmark DSEX index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange dropped by 26.3 points, closing at a four-month low of 5,106, compared to 5,132 in the previous session.

Dhaka stocks extended their losing streak for a third consecutive session, underscoring fragile investor confidence amid ongoing economic uncertainties. The market remained largely dominated by selling pressure, as investors maintained a cautious stance, closely watching market developments, according to EBL Securities.

The blue-chip index DS30, comprising 30 leading companies, decreased by 15.29 points to 1,878.17, while the DSES Index, representing Shariah-compliant companies, decreased by 7.22 points to 1,148.43 by the close.

Lingering concerns over potential US tariffs, ongoing IMF negotiations for the remaining loan tranches, anticipated tax hikes in the ongoing pre-budget talks, and the recent fuel price increase continued to dampen market sentiment. These factors dragged most stocks into negative territory for successive sessions, according to EBL Securities.

Turnover, a crucial indicator of the market, stood at Tk 3.96 billion, down 11.14 per cent from the previous trading day.

The majority of the stocks saw a price decrease, as out of the 396 issues traded, 120 closed higher, 212 ended lower, and 64 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor.

Bangladesh Shipping Corporation was the most-traded stock, with shares worth Tk 236.42 million changing hands, followed by Fine Foods, Eastern Lubricants Blenders, Beach Hatchery, and Beximco Pharmaceuticals.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) ended down, with its All Share Price Index (CASPI) decreasing by 48.09 points to settle at 14,323, and the Selective Categories Index (CSCX) decreasing by 26.34 points to settle at 8,727.39.

The port city bourse traded 2.45 million shares and mutual fund units, with a turnover volume of Tk 54.12 million.

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