Top 10 traded companies, including five banks, captured 31 per cent transaction on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) Monday, the first trading day of 2018, while Lafarge Surma Cement topped the chart.
Brokers said the investors remained active on Lafarge shares as the company recently agreed to buy Holcim Bangladesh at about Tk 5.04 billion, a price that was previously set by the Bangladesh Bank.
About 2.65 million shares of Lafarge Surma were traded on the day, generating a turnover of more than Tk 184 million which was 4.91 per cent of the total DSE's total transaction.
However, share prices of the multinational cement maker closed at Tk 69.60, losing 0.43 per cent over the previous trading session. Share prices of Lafarge soared 28.73 per cent in the past week after the news of acquisition of Holcim Bangladesh.
Among other active shares in terms of value included Paramount Textile, Beximco, Islami Bank, National Bank, Dragon Sweater, Alif Industries, Mercantile Bank, City Bank and Rupali Bank.
Paramount Textile followed next, with shares of Tk 170 million changing hands. The company's share price rose 4.56 per cent to close at Tk 45.90.
Beximco notched the third spot, with shares of Tk 117 million changing hands. Its share price ended 4.81 per cent higher at Tk 28.30 each.
Islami Bank emerged as the fourth with shares of Tk 107 million changing hands. The bank's share price settled at Tk 35.80, losing 2.18 per cent.
National Bank featured a turnover of Tk 106 million. The bank's share price advanced 2.31 per cent to close at Tk 13.30.
The turnover of Dragon Sweater was Tk 101 million. The company's share price closed at Tk 18.80, soaring 9.94 per cent. It was also the day's top gainer.
Alif Industries featured a turnover of Tk 100 million. The company's share price fell 3.98 per cent to close at Tk 137.30.
The turnover of Mercantile Bank was Tk 89 million. Its share price advanced 2.27 per cent to close at Tk 27.
City Bank featured a turnover of Tk 86 million. The bank's share price closed at Tk 52.30, losing 1.69 per cent.
Rupali Bank also made its way to the top ten turnover chart, with shares of Tk 83 million changing hands. Its share price closed 2.42 per cent lower at Tk 64.60 each.
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