TBT DESK: The week began with a downturn, trading on the country's stock markets ended on a positive note on Sunday, with indices rising and share prices increasing for the majority of listed companies in both Dhaka and Chattogram.
At the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the benchmark DSEX index increased by 19 points, while the main index posted gains, the other two indices in Dhaka did not perform as strongly. The Shariah-based DSES index rose by just 1 point and the DS30 index, which tracks blue-chip companies, fell by 4 points.
Out of the 395 companies that participated in trading at the DSE, the share prices of 189 companies increased, while 160 declined and 46 remained unchanged.
Across all three categories - A, B and Z - share prices were mostly on the rise. Among the 216 companies listed under the A category, which includes firms with consistent dividend payouts, 122 posted gains. The share prices of 80 A-category firms declined, and 14 remained unchanged. Mutual funds also saw a positive trend, with 30 out of 36 funds gaining in value. Only 3 saw price declines, while the remaining 3 stayed the same.
In the DSE block market, 21 companies traded shares worth Tk 6.83 crore. Beacon Pharmaceuticals accounted for the highest transaction, selling shares worth Tk 2.24 crore.
Despite the favourable movement in indices and share prices, overall turnover at the DSE remained stagnant. Total transactions stood at Tk 364 crore, slightly lower than the previous session's Tk 366 crore.
Northern Islami Insurance emerged as the top gainer on the DSE with a 10% rise in share price. On the other hand, Bay Leasing and Investment Ltd saw the biggest drop, losing over 3.5%.
Chattogram Market Also Sees Gains
Like Dhaka, the Chattogram Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended the day with an upward trend. The CSE's overall index rose by 19 points during the day's trading.
Out of 182 companies that traded on the CSE, 91 advanced, 71 declined, and 20 remained unchanged.
Total turnover at the CSE amounted to Tk 7.29 crore - a sharp decline from the previous session's figure of over Tk 21 crore. Phoenix Insurance Company Ltd topped the gainers' list at the CSE with a price surge of 9.87%. Meanwhile, Green Delta Insurance PLC ended at the bottom, shedding 10% in value.