Stocks ended lower on Wednesday as investors booked profits following a more than 10 per cent rally in the benchmark index over the past one and a half months.
The benchmark DSEX index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange fell 11 points, or 0.19 per cent, to close at 5,770.
The index had surged 535 points, or 10.17 per cent, from 5,264 on June 22 to 5,799.5 on July 6, prompting many investors to lock in gains.
Market operators said investor confidence has strengthened following the market-friendly fiscal measures introduced through the Finance Bill 2026 and easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. However, some investors continued to book profits after the market's recent rally, limiting further gains.
The positive momentum follows Parliament's passage of the Finance Bill 2026 last week. The legislation reduced taxes on dividend income, removed the investment ceiling for claiming tax rebates on investments in mutual funds, and relaxed listing requirements for companies seeking to raise capital through the stock market.
Market participants believe these measures will make equity investments more attractive, encourage greater participation by both retail and institutional investors, strengthen the mutual fund industry, and facilitate corporate fundraising through the capital market.
The DS30 index, comprising leading blue-chip companies, decreased 12.60 points to 2,169, while the DSES index, which tracks Shariah-based stocks, increased 1.75 points to 1,186.63.
On Wednesday, market participation declined, with turnover on the DSE decreasing to Tk 11.56 billion, compared with Tk 13.88 billion in the previous session.
Losers outnumbered gainers on the DSE floor. Of the 393 issues traded, 145 closed higher, 192 ended lower, and 56 remained unchanged.
The Chittagong Stock Exchange also ended lower, with its All Shares Price Index (CASPI) decreasing 47.62 points to 15,486, while the Selective Categories Index (CSCX) decreased 33 points to 9,481.
