Stocks end lower as investors remain cautious amid economic, political tensions

Stocks ended lower on Thursday, as cautious investors refrained from taking positions in equities considering the market’s waning momentum.

The investors were mostly cautious due to uncertainties over the ongoing economic and political tensions, while the news of another big fine to market manipulators further triggered the prevailing investor pessimism.

The prime index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) decreased by 19.07 points to settle at 5,105.43.

This was the sixth consecutive decline of the DSE main index, DSEX, which has lost 133 points or 2.54 per cent over the last six trading sessions. 

The blue-chip index DS30, comprising 30 leading companies, dropped by 7.53 points to 1,881.9, while the DSES Index, representing Shariah-compliant companies, declined by 2.05 points to 1,140.05 by the close.

Turnover, a crucial indicator of the market, stood at Tk 3.52 billion, up 15.6 per cent from the previous trading day.

The majority of the stocks saw a price decrease, as out of the 394 issues traded, 105 closed higher, 198 ended lower, and 91 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor.

Orion Infusion was the most-traded stock with shares worth Tk 168.86 million changing hands, followed by Saiham Cotton Mills, Taufika Foods and Lovello Ice-cream, Dragon Sweater and Spinning, and Intraco Refueling Station.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended down with its All Share Price Index (CASPI) decreasing by 60.45 points to settle at 14304 and the Selective Categories Index (CSCX) losing 41 points to settle at 8702.

The port city bourse traded 2.12 million shares and mutual fund units with a turnover volume of Tk 42.78 million.

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