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Stocks opened higher on Thursday, extending the market's recent rally as investors positioned themselves ahead of the national budget announcement, amid expectations of market-friendly measures and regulatory reforms.
Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury is scheduled to unveil the FY2026-27 national budget in parliament later in the day, with investors closely watching for initiatives aimed at revitalising the capital market and supporting broader economic growth.
Investor sentiment also received a boost as the newly reconstituted Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) recently lifted the floor price restrictions on Beximco and Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC, bringing an end to a controversial market intervention that had remained in place for nearly four years.
The benchmark DSEX index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) advanced 19 points, or 0.34 per cent, to 5,535 by 11:00 am.
Although Beximco shares hit the lower circuit breaker for a third straight session, Islami Bank rebounded sharply at the opening after two days of correction following the withdrawal of the floor price. Their impact on the broader market remained limited.
Beximco was excluded from the benchmark index in the latest annual rebalancing, while around 88 per cent of Islami Bank's shares are held by sponsor-directors, reducing the stocks' influence on overall market movements.
Market operators said investors are increasingly hopeful that the reconstituted BSEC will prioritise transparency, strengthen corporate governance and restore confidence in the capital market. Repeated government assurances regarding stock market development have also encouraged investors to increase their exposure to equities.
Turnover on the premier bourse reached Tk 3.20 billion within the first hour of trading, indicating strong investor participation.
Market breadth remained positive, with 207 issues advancing, 107 declining and 70 remaining unchanged.
Far East Knitting emerged as the day's most actively traded stock by turnover, with shares worth Tk 148 million changing hands by 11:00 am.
The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also witnessed a positive trend. The CASPI gained 42 points to 15,290, while the CSCX rose 23 points to 9,389 by 11:00 am.
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