Special Correspondent
DSEX, the key index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), witnessed a mere flat session amid subdued market sentiment while some investors sought bargain hunting opportunities in sector-specific issues amidst the ongoing quarterly earnings disclosures of the listed companies.
The key index edged down by 2.3 points to settle at 5,130 points as against 5,132 points in the previous trading session.
Meanwhile, stagnancy in trading activities continues with market turnover slightly increasing by 8.0% to Tk3.4 billion as against Tk 3.2 billion in the previous session.
Out of the 397 issues traded, 139 advanced, 175 declined and 83 remained unchanged on the Dhaka bourse.
The blue-chip index DS30 (-0.05%), the Shariah-based index DSES (-0.06%), and the large-cap index CDSET (-0.03%) closed at 1,894.80, 1,150.18, and 1,044.68 points, respectively.
Large-cap sectors posted mixed performance on the day. Engineering booked the highest gain of 0.65%, followed by Telecommunication (+0.42%), NBFI (+0.10%), Food & Allied (+0.05%), Fuel & Power (-0.11%), Bank (-0.16%), and Pharmaceutical (-0.31%), respectively. Block trades contributed 10.2% of the overall market turnover. Malek Spinning Mills Ltd. (+3.4%) was the most traded share with a turnover of Tk 112 million.
In its daily market commentary, the EBL Securities said that n. Market volatility persisted throughout the session, while opportunistic investors preferred to observe the market's trend and sit on cash to look for lucrative investment opportunities following the corrections.
Moreover, the ongoing declaration of corporate earnings is expected to invigorate market activity, providing investors with opportunities to capitalize on favorable earning-calls.
The port city bourse, Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE), also settled on red terrain. The Selective Categories' Index (CSCX) and All Share Price Index (CASPI) fell by 19.5 and 29.8 points, respectively.