Stocks edged marginally up Thursday for the sixth running session with further improvement in turnover as investors opted for quick profit taking advantage of shortened settlement period.
During the day, the prime index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) -- DSEX reached to 4,729 points at one point, however, the market took some breath in last hour, closing the index almost flat as investor prompted to cash in some stocks at high price.
At the end of the session, DSEX crossed 4,700 points mark and ended 7-week high level to 4,702.45 points, gaining 8.23 points or 0.17 per cent.
The DSE Shariah Index (DSES) gained 1.28 points or 0.12 per cent to close at 1,040.24 points. However, the DS30, comprising blue chips shed 5.06 points or 0.29 per cent to close at 1,720.19 points.
Total market turnover crossed Tk 6.50 billion-mark on DSE and stood at Tk 6.73 billion which was 23.03 per cent higher from previous session value. It was also two and a half month high turnover since Tk 6.95 billion on February 9, 2014.
"This week, market built on the previous week's close and reached at a new peak level of 4,700 points mark which is the highest point of the last one and half months," commented LankaBangla Securities.
"Earnings season continued throughout the week and sent mixed signal to investors, where mostly multi-national companies (MNCs) and manufacturing stocks attracted the investor's eyes," said the stock broker.
Corporate declaration of some banking stocks grabbed the buyers' interest to the sector. The banking sector gained 1.2 per cent and generated the highest volume of the day, said the stock broker.
"Stocks reacted positively to the news of DSE's proposal for Tk 50 billion as special allocation for capital market stabilization as most gauged the news as further cushion against volatility of the market," the stock broker added.
"Small Cap segment revamped Thursday alongside extended rhythm in some Large Cap scrips," said IDLC Investments.
