Cautious investors pull

A total of 88.48 million shares changed hands against 83.81 million in the previous trading session. However, the trade deals slightly increased to 197,089 which were 189,866 in the previous session. The market capitalisation also dropped and stood at Tk 2,838.38 billion against Tk 2,876.08 billion in the previous session. All major sectors ended in the red zone except jute and food and allied sectors. NBFIs were the worst performer of the day losing 2.59 per cent. In the NBFIs sector, out of 20 issues traded only two issues--ICB and Union Capital gained on the day. Banking issues, the bellwether of the market, continued to fall, out of 30 banks in the sector, only three banks-Mercantile Bank, Rupali Bank and Social Islami Bank-gained on the day. And the banking sector lost 1.97 per cent. Grameenphone continued to lose price on the trading for the third following sessions, closed at Tk 169.50 per share, against Tk 171.70 per share in the previous session. Fuel and power sector lost 1.84 per cent on the day, out of 10 issues traded in the sector, only two issues---Eastern Lubricants and Meghna Petroleum gained. Among other notable losers of the day, ceramics sector lost 2.24 per cent, mutual fund 2.20 per cent, life insurance 1.50 per cent, general insurance 1.26 per cent.