Dhaka bourse ends marginally lower as blue chips show mixed performance

The Dhaka bourse closed the week's last session marginally lower, extending the losing streak for the second consecutive session, as market leaders showed mixed performance.
Insiders said the market witnessed a mild correction over the last two sessions as many opportunistic investors booked profits following gains in the previous sessions.
The DSEX, the broad index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), gained 3.42 per cent or 169 points over seven sessions executed until Tuesday and settled at 5,108 points. The appreciation of blue-chip stocks also contributed to the rise in the broad index.
The market opened Thursday's session on a positive note, and the DSEX exhibited ups and downs as investors remained active on both sides of the trading fence.
After showing signs of recovery during mid-session, the DSEX again turned volatile and closed marginally lower.
At the end of the session, the broad index settled at 5,099 points, losing 0.12 per cent or 6.23 points.
The DS30 index also edged down by 1.43 points following mixed performance by blue-chip stocks.
Among the blue chips, British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company, BRAC Bank, Beximco Pharmaceuticals, and Grameenphone advanced, while Beacon Pharmaceuticals, MJL Bangladesh, Robi Axiata, and Renata declined.
Of the 390 issues traded, 145 advanced, 189 declined, and 56 remained unchanged. The premier bourse posted a turnover of Tk 5.36 billion, down 11.47 per cent from the previous session.
Of the total turnover, Tk 131 million came from block board transactions.
According to a review by EBL Securities, the market remained range-bound with mild volatility, as investors stayed active on both sides of the trading fence.
It said sellers appeared to have a slight edge, ultimately pushing the broad index marginally into negative territory by the close.
Pubali Bank topped the list of index pullers, adding 1.8 points to the broad index, followed by Beximco Pharmaceuticals, Grameenphone, LafargeHolcim, and BRAC Bank.
Among the top index draggers, Islami Bank Bangladesh wiped out 1.2 points from the broad index, followed by National Bank, Orion Infusion, and Beacon Pharmaceuticals.
Orion Infusion topped the turnover chart with Tk 272 million, followed by Square Pharmaceuticals, Dominage Steel Building Systems, and Fine Foods.
Asian Insurance was the top gainer, rising 9.97 per cent to close at Tk 34.20 per share.
MIDAS Financing was the worst loser, shedding 3.77 per cent to close at Tk 5 per share.

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