DSE turnover dips below Tk 2 billion-mark

Stocks closed flat in red on Tuesday for the eighth straight sessions with turnover dipped below Tk 2.0 billion-mark once again as investors remained reluctant to make fresh investments. DSEX, the prime index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) ended at 4,363.49 points, shedding 0.77 points or 0.01 per cent after witnessing volatility throughout the session. However, the other two indices clsoed positive. The DS30, comprising blue chips gained 6.75 points or 0.42 per cent to close at 1,589.82 points. The DSE Shariah Index (DSES) advanced 0.48 points or 0.04 per cent to close at 971.88 points. DSE turnover dropped further and came down below Tk 2.0 billion-mark after seven months to Tk 1.96 billion which was 9.68 per cent lower form previous day’s Tk 2.17 billion. It was also seven-month low  turnover since Tk 1.88 billion on October 22, 2103. The losers took a strong lead over the gainers as out of 289 issues traded, 131 declined, 110 advanced and 48 issues closed unchanged on the DSE floor. Hwa Well Textiles became the top turnover leader with shares worth Tk 89.27 million changing hands followed by Lafarge Surma Cement, GP, Square Pharma and MJL BD. Progressive Life Insurance was the day’s highest gainer; posting a rise of 7.67 per cent while Federal Insurance was the day’s worst losers, slumping by 12.50 per cent. The port city bourse -- Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE)--, however, closed positive with its Selective Categories Index -- CSCX gained 15.93 points to stand at 8,428.50 points. Losers beat gainers 82 to 70, with 42 issues remaining unchanged at the port city bourse that traded 4.46 million shares and mutual fund units with turnover value of Tk 159.30 million.