Stocks plummeted for the third consecutive sessions Sunday as investors booked short-term profit amid volatile politics.
DSEX, the prime index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), went down by 41.02 points or 0.91 per cent to close at 4,431.10 points after witnessing seesaw trades almost throughout the session.
The two others indices also ended in the red territory. The DS30 index, comprising blue chips lost 6.25 points or 0.36 per cent to close at 1,696.80 points. The DSE Shariah Index (DSES) shed 4.13 points or 0.37 per cent to close at 1,084.66 points.
Trading at DSE improved slightly backed by newly listed United Power Generation & Distribution Company, which accounted for one fourth of the total market turnover. The total turnover stood at Tk 3.11 billion, registering an increase of 13.45 per cent over the previous day's value of Tk 2.74 billion.
The investors' attention was mostly focused on power, pharma and engineering-the sectors that accounted for 38 per cent, 13 per cent and 10 per cent respectively of the day's total turnover.
"The bearish spell has sustained for the last three consecutive sessions as the investors remained cautious and preferred to book short-term profit amid the persistent political crisis," said brokerage International Leasing Securities in an analysis.
Meanwhile, market participants have demonstrated interest in the newly listed issue United Power, which made up one fourth of the day's total market turnover, said the International Leasing.
Merchant bank IDLC Investments said: "Despite apparent slowdown in political violence and resultant breathing space for the economy, investors remained shy from the equity market as they tried to account damages already done as well as seek stronger assurance of stability".
"The week started with another sizeable fall in the indices. Market participation is still very low reflecting the lack of confidence in the investors' mind," said LankaBangla Securities, a stock broker.
Almost all the major sectors declined in market cap except fuel and power, cement, and telecommunication which increased by 12.19 per cent, 0.93 per cent, and 0.68 per cent respectively. NBFI, textile, and banks lost 1.73 per cent, 1.46 per cent, and 1.25 per cent respectively.
The losers took a strong lead over the gainers as out of 308 issues traded, 240 declined, 42 advanced and 26 remained unchanged on the DSE floor.
Activities increased in the major bourse where trade and volume were up by 57.73 per cent and 13.34 per cent respectively. A total number of 0.120 million trades were executed with trading volume of 60.80 million securities.
The market capitalisation on the DSE stood at Tk 3,159.49 billion against Tk 3,131.49 billion in the previous session.
United Power, which made debut Sunday, was the day's topped turnover chart with shares worth Tk 791.69 million changing hands followed by Lafarge Surma Cement, IFAD Autos, MJL BD and ACI Ltd.
Saiham Cotton was the day's highest gainer, posting a rise of 4.18 per cent while First Security Islami Bank was the worst loser, plunging by 10.78 per cent following its price adjustment after record date.
The port city bourse, Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended lower with its Selective Categories Index - CSCX - lost 68.20 points to close at 8,256.24 points.
Losers beat gainers 169 to 39, with 19 issues remaining unchanged at the port city bourse that traded 6.91 million shares and mutual fund units, turnover value of Tk 348.26 million.
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