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The Dhaka bourse closed Sunday's session marginally lower, breaking the gaining streak of the previous six sessions following a sale pressure exerted by worried investors.
The market opened the session with a positive note but the DSEX, broad index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), started to decline just 15 minutes onwards.
A sloppy declining trend was observed till the market's closure amid investors' timid participation. Finally, the DSEX settled at 5165 points, with a loss of 0.26 per cent or 13.29 points.
Turnover value declined 13 per cent to Tk 3.74 billion on Sunday from the day before.
According to EBL Securities, the market observed mild volatility in attempts to secure short-term gains amid the weakened strength of the market's momentum.
The broad index experienced marginal gains in the previous six sessions through Thursday last week.
During the period, the DSEX advanced 1.31 per cent or 67 points and turnover values were within Tk 3.0 billion and Tk 4.7 billion.
Experts said the valuation of most of the securities is now at an attractive level and that it is time to purchase stocks.
For example, the P/E (price-earnings) ratio of Square Pharmaceuticals is 7.55 based on its latest financial statements. But the company has been failing to attract investors in the absence of any market momentum.
The DSE has seen turnover values below Tk 5.0 billion since December 03 last year.
Political unrests, higher interest rates and a decline in people's disposable income are also blamed for lower participation in the market.
However, the recent fall in the yields of Treasury bonds has raised optimism about a good liquidity flow in the equity market.
At the end of January, the cut-off yield of T-bonds of 15 years and 20 years went below 12 per cent.
Market operators said a group of investors were watching the market trend ahead of the upcoming monetary policy statements for the second half of FY25.
Of the 395 issues traded on Sunday, 92 advanced, 240 declined and 63 were unchanged on the DSE.
On the day, Khan Brothers PP Woven Bag Industries topped the chart of turnover leaders, with a transaction value of Tk 123 million, followed by New Line Clothings, and Beach Hatchery.
Power Grid Company of Bangladesh was the number one gainer, with a rise of 10 per cent. On the other hand, Khulna Printing & Packaging was the worst loser after declining 7.43 per cent on the DSE.