Stocks witnessed yet another bearish session on Sunday, extending their losing streak for the three consecutive sessions, as investors went on late hour selling spree.
Market operators said the risk-averse investors continued their selling binge on large-cap sectors, particularly power, banking and engineering, taking the market in the negative territory for the third day.
The power sector witnessed the highest correction of 2.51 per cent as prices of 18 issues of the sector closed lower, out of 19.
A stockbroker said the power sector took a big hit following the news that the government would increase the energy prices.
The market showed upward movement at the beginning of the session and stayed positive in the first two and a half hours. But late hour's selling pressure took the market in the negative zone.
DSEX, the prime index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), came down below 5,500-mark after one month and settled at 5,464, losing 36.44 points or 0.66 per cent.
According to International Leasing Securities, stocks fell further riding on the news that the government might increase the energy prices soon.
The stockbroker noted that the panicked investors liquidated their positions from almost all the large-cap sectors, especially from power, textile, engineering and banking.
Two other indices also closed lower. The DS30 index, comprising blue chips, fell 8.79 points to finish at 1,911. The DSE Shariah Index also lost 6.14 points to close at 1,265.
Turnover, the most important indicator of the market, also fell to Tk 8.04 billion, which was 24 per cent lower than the previous session's Tk 10.64 billion.
Trading activities declined as many investors followed cautious stance ahead of dividend declarations, said EBL Securities.
The engineering sector dominated the turnover chart, capturing 22 per cent of the day's total turnover, followed by textile with 15 per cent and power 13 per cent.
Of the 336 issues traded, 219 declined, 81 advanced and 36 issues remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor.
A total number of 149,035 trades were executed in the day's trading session with trading volume of 173.64 million securities.
The market capitalisation of the DSE came down to Tk 3,903 billion on the day which was Tk 3,930 billion in the previous session.
Khulna Power Company topped the turnover chart with 5.12 million shares worth Tk 617 million changing hands.
The other turnover leaders were Active Fine Chemicals, Singer Bangladesh, IFAD Autos and BBS Cables.
Fine Foods was the best performer, posting a gain of 10 per cent while Dragon Sweater and Spinning was the worst loser, losing 18.07 per cent following its price adjustment after record date.
The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended lower with its CSE All Share Price Index - CASPI - losing 126 points to settle at 16,873 and the Selective Categories Index - CSCX -shedding 74 points to finish at 10,228.
The losers beat gainers as 164 issues closed lower, 51 ended higher and 25 issues remained unchanged on the CSE.
The port city's bourse traded 8.66 million shares and mutual fund units worth Tk 292 million in turnover.
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