The benchmark equities index of the prime bourse closed marginally lower on Sunday, snapping a five-day winning streak as investors get worried that the surge in fuel oil prices would lead to a significant increase in the cost of living.
Of the listed securities, the fuel-sector companies, including Intraco Refueling Station, saw price hike of their shares on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE).
The market opened the day's session in the red, but the benchmark DSEX index bounced back later.
The index continued its bumpy ride throughout the whole session as the buyers and sellers were active on both sides of the trading fence.
Finally, the DSEX settled 0.13 per cent or 8.25 points lower at 6,304 points.
The DS30 index, comprising blue-chip securities, also ended in the red, shedding 0.24 per cent or 5.63 points to close at 2,259.56 points.
However, the Shariah-based index, DSES, advanced 0.11 per cent or 1.64 points to close at 1,376.83.
Of 380 issues traded on the DSE, 124 issues gained, 187 declined and 69 others remain unchanged.
Turnover, a crucial indicator of the market, clocked in at Tk 11.17 billion, down 6.12 per cent from the previous session's turnover of Tk 11.90 billion.
Of the total turnover, Tk 507 million came from transactions executed in block board trade.
According to a market review of EBL Securities, equity indices of the Dhaka bourse ended lower as the participants showed mixed reactions amidst a sudden upsurge of fuel prices in the country.
The sellers dominated the market amid a fear of surging in costs of living and production, it said. "However, the existence of 'floor price' mechanism has been providing support to the market and taming the panic-driven sales across the bourse."
Of the major sectors which saw price corrections, the banking sector lost 0.5 per cent, engineering 0.3 per cent, general insurance 2.0 per cent, life insurance 1.8 per cent, and pharmaceuticals & chemicals sector 0.4 per cent.
Of the sectors which witnessed price appreciation, the financial institution sector advanced 1.0 per cent, fuel & power 0.5 per cent, and telecommunications sector 0.8 per cent.
Investors' participation was concentrated mostly on the textile sector which grabbed 25 per cent of the market turnover, followed by pharmaceuticals & chemicals (12.1 per cent), miscellaneous (11.4 per cent), fuel & power (6.8 per cent) and engineering (6.4 per cent).
"Investors were active on both sides of the trading fence. Some investors booked profit from recent market surge while others were active in participation as the central bank published the circular regarding exposure issues," said a market review of International Leasing Securities.
Beximco topped the turnover chart with shares worth Tk 1.01 billion changing hands, followed by Intraco Refueling Station (Tk 368 million), LafargeHolcim Bangladesh (Tk 287 million), Malek Spinning Mills (Tk 264 million) and Queen South Textile Mills (Tk 250 million).
Sea Pearl Beach Resort & Spa was the top gainer. Its share price rose by 9.96 per cent or Tk 4.80 to close at Tk 53 each.
Hwa Well Textiles (BD) was the worst loser, shedding 5.88 per cent or Tk 3.4 to close at Tk 54.40 each.
The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended lower, with its benchmark CASPI index losing 0.03 per cent or 5.94 points to settle at 18534.99 points.
Of 281 issues traded on the CSE, 112 advanced, 120 declined and 49 others remained unchanged while the turnover stood at Tk 217.25 million.
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