Stocks ended higher on Wednesday, extending the previous session's gains as investor confidence strengthened following a series of market-supportive regulatory reforms and fiscal measures.
The benchmark DSEX index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange gained15 points, or 0.25 per cent, to close at 5,926.27.
The day's index was the highest in 23 months, since August 14, 2024, when the index stood at Tk 5,953 points.
The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) on Tuesday approved several investor-friendly initiatives, including the introduction of scrip netting for intraday trading and amendments to the Margin Rules aimed at making margin lending more flexible and investor-friendly, which further boosted investor confidence.
Market operators said investor sentiment has remained upbeat following the budgetary measures announced by the government, which include a range of incentives designed to revitalise the country's capital market. They added that the latest regulatory reforms have further reinforced expectations of a more efficient, transparent and liquid market.
Analysts said the fiscal and regulatory measures are expected to make equity investment more attractive, encourage greater participation from both retail and institutional investors, strengthen the mutual fund industry, and enable companies to raise long-term funds more efficiently through the capital market.
The DS30 index, comprising leading blue-chip companies, rose 15.8 points to 2,243, while the DSES index, which tracks Shariah-based stocks, increased 1.90 points to 1,209.
Market participation reduced on Wednesday, with turnover on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) dropping to Tk 15.16 billion from Tk 16.51 billion in the previous session.
Losers outnumbered Gainers on the DSE floor. Of the 400 issues traded, 131 closed higher and 218 ended lower, while 51 remained unchanged.
The Chittagong Stock Exchange also ended higher, with its All Shares Price Index (CASPI) gaining 91.35 points to 15,870 while the Selective Categories Index (CSCX) increased 65.52 points to 9,739.
