Stocks opened higher on Thursday, rebounding after two consecutive sessions of losses as bargain hunters returned to the market amid renewed optimism over recent capital market-friendly fiscal measures.
By 10:30 am, DSEX, the benchmark index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), had gained 34 points, or 0.60 per cent, to 5,804, supported by strong buying in large-cap and fundamentally sound stocks.
Market operators said investor sentiment has continued to improve following the passage of the Finance Bill 2026, which introduced a series of incentives aimed at revitalising the capital market. The upbeat mood has also been aided by easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, reducing uncertainty among investors.
The Finance Bill, passed by Parliament earlier this week, lowered taxes on dividend income, removed the investment ceiling for claiming tax rebates on investments in mutual funds, and eased listing requirements for companies seeking to raise funds through the stock market.
Analysts believe these measures will enhance the attractiveness of equity investments, encourage greater participation by both retail and institutional investors, strengthen the mutual fund industry, and make it easier for companies to raise long-term capital from the market.
Investor participation also remained strong. Turnover on the premier bourse reached Tk 2.46 billion within the first 30 minutes of trading, reflecting renewed buying interest.
Market breadth was overwhelmingly positive, with 264 issues advancing, 65 declining, and 53 remaining unchanged by 10:30 am, indicating broad-based gains across most sectors.
The positive opening came after the benchmark index crossed the 5,800-point mark this week, extending its recovery on the back of improving macroeconomic sentiment and policy support.
The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also traded higher in early trading. Its benchmark index, CASPI, advanced 56 points to 15,541, while the CSCX index gained 36 points to 9,517.
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