Ten firms grab 22pc of weekly turnover on DSE

The ten most-traded firms accounted for nearly 22 per cent of the turnover on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) in the outgoing week, with life insurers dominating the turnover list.
Investors were mostly active in the life insurance sector, capturing 20 per cent of the week's total turnover, and four life insurers featured in the weekly top turnover list.
As the central bank removed the lending rate cap by introducing market-driven reference rate in its latest monetary policy, investors expect the higher interest rate would help increase the cash-surplus insurers' income in the coming months.
Meghna Life Insurance came to the top of the turnover list for the second straight week.
According to the DSE data, some 9.97 million Meghna Life shares were traded during the week, generating a turnover of Tk 1.06 billion, which was 3.57 per cent of the week's total turnover.
The week's total turnover stood at Tk 29.58 billion, down from Tk 38.70 billion in the week before on the Dhaka bourse.
Meghna Life Insurance's stock price also appreciated 1.81 per cent to close at Tk 101.3 on Thursday, after plunging 24 per cent in the week before due to profit-booking selloffs.
Gemini Sea Food came second on the turnover chart, with shares worth Tk 796 million changing hands. The seafood exporter's stock soared 5.50 per cent to close at Tk 844.60 on Thursday.
Navana Pharmaceuticals clinched the third spot, with shares worth Tk 664 million changing hands. The drug maker's share closed at Tk 113.70, shedding 0.44 per cent over the previous week.
Bangladesh Shipping Corporation emerged as fourth, with shares worth Tk 657 million changing hands. The state-run corporation's share price advanced 1.55 per cent to close at Tk 124.80 on Thursday.
Eastern Housing notched the fifth spot, with shares worth Tk 615 million changing hands. The lone-listed real estate company's stock price rose 6.62 per cent to close at Tk 101.50 on Thursday.
The turnover of Trust Islami Life Insurance was Tk 578 million. The recently listed company's share closed at Tk 76.60, gaining 9.74 per cent over the previous week.

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