Stocks extend gaining streak for third day

Stocks extended their gaining streak for the third straight sessions on Thursday as investors continued on buying spree amid optimism. The market opened with a positive note and the upward trend sustained throughout the session amid marginal volatility. DSEX, the prime index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), went up by 20.18 points or 0.44 per cent to 4,599.91. The two other indices also closed in the positive territory. The DS30 index, comprising blue chips, rose 11.07 points or 0.62 per cent to 1,795.24. The DSE Shariah Index (DSES) advanced 7.35 points or 0.65 per cent to finish at 1,133.73. Turnover stood at Tk4.77 billion on the main bourse, which was 3.44 per cent lower than the previous day’s Tk4.94 billion. The gainers took a modest lead over the losers as out of 316 issues traded, 169 advanced, 116 declined and 31 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor. GrameenPhone (GP) was the day’s top turnover leader with shares worth Tk294 million changing hands followed by IFAD Autos, KPCL, United Airways and ACI Limited. Aramit Cement was the day’s best performer, posting a rise of 9.73 per cent while Uttara Finance was the day’s worst loser, plunging by 14 per cent. The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also closed higher with its Selective Categories Index – CSCX – gained 33 points to close at 8,630.38. Gainers beat losers 118 to 94, with 30 issues remaining unchanged at the port city bourse that traded 10.32 million shares and mutual fund units, turnover of Tk334 million.