Stocks slipped into the red on Tuesday, snapping a two-day gaining streak, as the risk-averse investors opted for booking profit on quick-gaining issues in the final hour.
Following the previous two days' gain, the market opened higher and the key index rose about 29 points within the 30 minutes of trading. But late hour sale pressure wiped out the early gains, eventually ending over 32 points lower.
DSEX, the key index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange, went down by 32.46 points or 0.48 per cent to settle at 6,665, after gaining 55 points in the past two straight sessions.
Two other indices also ended in the red. The DSE 30 Index, comprising blue chips, fell 13.62 points to finish at 2,435 and the DSE Shariah Index (DSES) lost 5.24 points to close at 1,448.
Turnover, a crucial indicator of the market, however, remained high and the total turnover rose to three months high at Tk 12.58 billion on DSE, in a further buck by 4.14 per cent over previous day's tally of Tk 12.08 billion.
It was the highest single-day turnover since February 13, 2022, when turnover totaled Tk 12.75 billion.
Market operators said turnover increased as investors were active on both sides of the trading fence.
The optimistic investors exhibited their buying binge on sector-specific issues while the risk-averse investors opted for booking profit on quick-gaining stocks, according to a leading broker.
Participation increased further as the bottom circuit breaker raised to 5.0 per cent, giving investors a breather to engage in fresh investment activities, he said.
"The market witnessed a setback as investors engaged in profit booking taking advantage of the past two day's rise," said EBL Securities.
However, the number of investors on the trading floor surged since spontaneous participation triggered market confidence and optimistic investors exhibited fresh buying appetite, said the stockbroker.
International Leasing Securities said the investors were active in purchasing some stocks in the morning session at lucrative price. But late hour's profit booking tendency dragged down the DSEX.
Major sectors witnessed corrections with the financial institutions losing 0.90 per cent, followed by cement with 0.90 per cent, power 0.80 per cent, food 0.60 per cent, engineering 0.50 per cent, banking 0.30 per cent and telecom 0.30 per cent.
Of the 380 issues traded, 205 declined, 130 advanced and 45 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor.
Beximco was the most-traded stock with shares worth nearly Tk 370 million changing hands, followed by JMI Hospital Requisite Manufacturing (Tk 368 million), Shinepukur Ceramics (Tk 365 million), Eastern Housing (Tk 345 million), and Unique Hotel & Resorts (Tk 337 million).
ACI Formulations was the top gainer, posting a 10 per cent gain while Imam Button was the worst loser, losing 5.0 per cent.
The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended lower with the CSE All Share Price Index - CASPI -losing 107 points to settle at 19,532 and the Selective Categories Index - CSCX - shedding 65 points to close at 11,718.
Of the issues traded, 155 declined, 124 advanced and 30 issues remained unchanged on the CSE.
The port city's bourse traded 15.33 million shares and mutual fund units with turnover value worth Tk 475 million.
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