Stocks finish nearly flat

Stocks ended almost flat Tuesday after choppy trading as late hours selling pressure wiped out most of the early gains. Dealers said the market finished nearly flat as cautious investors booked profit on sector-wise large-cap issues like Grameenphone (GP), Square Pharmaceuticals and Brac Bank. GP, the country's largest market cap listed company's share price fell 0.41 per cent to close at Tk 466.20 each. Square Pharmaceuticals, the second largest market cap company's share also fell 0.20 per cent to close at Tk 300.40. Brac Bank, the fifth largest market cap company's share closed at Tk 106.50, falling 0.93 per cent. However, the heavyweight banking sector supported the market to stay green as the sector posted 1.08 per cent gain with prices of 24 banks closed higher, out of 30 listed banks. Following the previous day's marginal gain, the market opened on a positive note and core index of the major bourse gaining 28 points within first half of the trading session. — FE Report