Stocks extend rally for 8th day

Stocks extended their gaining streak for the eight consecutive sessions on Wednesday with turnover crossing Tk 7.0 billion-mark as investors continued their buying spree amid optimism. DSEX, the prime index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), went up marginally by 10.66 points or 0.22 per cent to settle at 4,742. The DSE Shariah Index (DSES) advanced 0.89 points or 0.04 per cent to close at 1,171.23. However, the DS30 index, comprising blue chips, dropped 7.09 points or 0.60 per cent to finish at 1,857.44. Turnover stood at Tk 7.15 billion on the main bourse, which was 45 per cent higher than the previous day’s Tk 4.93 billion. The gainers took a lead over the losers as out of 315 issues traded, 144 advanced, 142 declined and 29 remained unchanged on the DSE. Shahjibazar Power Company was the day’s top turnover leader with shares worth Tk 654 million changing hands followed by BSRM, Lafarge Surma Cement, MJL BD and Active Fine. Islami Bank was the day’s best performer, posting a rise of 10 per cent while Exim Bank First Mutual Fund was the day’s worst loser, plunging by 9.09 per cent. The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) closed flat with its Selective Categories Index – CSCX – 0.47 points to close at 8,853.13. Losers beat gainers 126 to 101, with 20 issues remaining unchanged at the port city bourse that traded 13 million shares and mutual fund units with turnover of Tk 518 million.