Stocks posted a marginal gain on Monday, extending the gaining streak for the fourth straight session, as investors remained active on major sectors issues.
Following the previous day's sharp gain, the market opened on downward trend as the shaky investors booked profit on quick-gaining stocks. But late hours buying spree helped the indices close in green.
DSEX, prime index of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), went up by 15.73 points or 0.29 per cent to settle at 5,344. It has been the highest since July 4, 2019, when the DSEX was 5,380.
The core index added more than 246 points in the past four consecutive sessions.
Total market-cap of DSE surged to Tk 4,418 billion on Monday, hitting a fresh all-time high, driven by the biggest-ever issue -Robi. The previous day's market-cap was also a record high of Tk 4,393 billion.
Robi's market capitalisation reached more than Tk 129 billion, according to the Monday's closing price.
Shares of Robi Axiata soared further by 9.78 per cent to close at Tk 24.70 on Monday, after a flying debut on Thursday last. Its share price jumped 147 per cent in three trading days.
Turnover, a crucial indicator of the market, stood at Tk 13.47 billion on the country's premier bourse, falling by 12 per cent over previous day's six months highest turnover of Tk 15.29 billion.
Two other indices also ended higher. The DS30 index, comprising blue chips, gained 8.57 points to finish at 1,924 and the DSE Shariah Index rose 4.87 points to close at 1,231.
Market operators said the investors continued their buying appetite on sector-wise stocks amid growing confidence stemming from regulatory actions and the gradual traction in economic activities.
As the Covid-19 vaccination has started in the major trade partners of Bangladesh, investors' confidence strengthened as this indicates continued rebound of the global economy, commented EBL Securities.
The stockbroker noted that regulatory moves to build a stable and vibrant capital market and enlistment of quality IPO's in the market also contributed to the index reaching its highest point in 18 months.
According to International Leasing Securities, the optimistic investors kept their buying spree on sector specific issues riding on the news that Bangladesh is heading to become the world's 25th largest economy by 2035 and will continue with the 2nd place in South Asia.
Buoyancy in telecom, engineering, financial institutions, mutual fund and pharma sectors helped the DSEX to remain in green, said the stockbroker.
The recent directive given by the prime minister to ministries to formulate another stimulus package and the regulator's relentless efforts to buoy up the market kept the investors afloat, said a leading broker.
The news that the chairman of the securities regulator expressed his firm optimism to get a sustainable capital market within the next six months, also tempted investors to stay afloat, he said.
He noted that factors like lower returns on the money market amid liquidity glut, hope for the Covid-19 vaccine and strong regulatory actions against wrongdoers prompted sideline investors to inject fresh funds into stocks.
Gainers took a modest lead over the losers, as out of 361 issues traded, 154 advanced, 142 declined and 65 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor.
A total number of 232,457 trades were executed in the day's trading session with a trading volume of 470.19 million shares and mutual fund units.
Beximco continued to dominate the turnover chart with 27.81 million shares worth Tk 1.30 billion changing hands, followed by IFIC Bank, Beximco Pharma, LankaBangla Finance and Square Pharma.
BD Finance was the day's best performer, posting a gain of 10 per cent, while Mozzafar Hoassin Spinning Mills was the worst loser, losing 6.79 per cent.
The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also edged higher with its All Shares Price Index (CASPI)-gaining 47 points to close at 15,407 while the Selective Categories Index - CSCX rising 29 points to close at 9,292.
Of the issues traded, 132 advanced, 117 declined and 43 remained unchanged on the CSE.
The port city bourse traded 17.66 million shares and mutual fund units with turnover value of more than Tk 471 million.
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