Stocks edged marginally higher Thursday with sluggish participation as investors are waiting for certain direction of market.
The market started with upward trend and the positive trend continued till the market closure amid volatility, eventually ended marginally higher.
At the end of the session, the prime index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) --- DSEX ended at 4,598.91 points, gaining 8.77 points or 0.19 per cent.
Meanwhile, DSE index supervision committee included Appollo Ispat Complex Ltd into DSEX as the company qualified for inclusion in DSEX which will effective from April 20, 2014.
The DS30, comprising blue chips gained 10.40 points or 0.61 per cent to close at 1,703.15 points. The DSE Index (DSES) went up by 2.00 points or 0.19 per cent to close at 1,034.93 points.
Turnover value on the DSE stood at Tk 4.44 billion, registering 16.3 per cent decline over the previous day's value of Tk 5.30 billion.
"The market witnessed a flat session as the price correction of particular large cap stocks continued," said International Leasing Securities, in its daily market analysis.
"The investors' vigilant attitude caused the turnover to drop by 16.3 per cent," said the International Leasing Securities.
"Closing session of the week showcased mixed trading pattern amid the increased level volatility. Investors' preference changed a bit, switching from Large Caps to Mid Caps," said IDLC Investments.
Besides, shuffle across scrips and sector was also notable. Resultantly, the bourse faced flat ends, again and closed marginally below 4,600 points level, said the merchant bank.
"Amid the cyclical trading pattern, participation declined as investors are waiting for certain direction of market," the merchant bank added.
"Market is back to the positive territory as the benchmark index (DSEX) added 8.8 points and closed just below the 4,600 point mark," commented LankaBangla Securities.
Market is moving side-by-side as investors are looking at corporate earnings and economic indicators to resolve itself for further rally in index, said the stock broker.
Bangladesh Bank (BB) reports that consumer financing is piling up as credit demand in the industrial sector has slowed in recent time, it said.
"Investors are overall bullish about Q1 2014 corporate profitability. Moreover, investors are expecting treasury rates to fall further as there is ample liquidity in the banking system," said the stock broker.
The port city bourse - Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also closed higher with its Selective Categories Index --- CSCX gained 35.73 points to stand at 8,868.71 points.
Gainers beat losers 111 to 76, with 25 issues remaining unchanged at the port city bourse that traded 7.30 million shares and mutual fund units, turnover value of Tk 346.10 million.
