Dhaka stocks posted marginal gain Thursday for the fourth consecutive session with turnover improved slightly as profit booking in last hour narrowed the early gain.
Stocks have largely maintained a positive bias over the course of the trading session amid minor fluctuation. DSEX, the prime index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) ended at 4,642.37 points after a modest gaining of 9.91 points or 0.21 per cent
The other two indices also closed positive. The DS30, comprising blue chips gained 0.17 to close at 1,758.24 points. The DSE Shariah Index went up by 1.80 points or 0.16 per cent to close at 1,088.92 points.
The total turnover on DSE improved to Tk 6.02 billion, registering an increase of 9.4 per cent higher over the previous session's value of Tk 5.50 billion.
The investors' activity was concentrated on textile, engineering and power - the sectors that accounted for 14.04 per cent, 13.71 per cent and 12.62 per cent respectively of the day's total turnover.
"Index had a stellar rally at the beginning of the day's trading session, however, profit booking in last hour narrowed the gain," commented LankaBangla Securities, in its regular market analysis.
Market kept its bullish trend intact as it observed two consecutive green days after crossing 4,600-level. Strong market sentiment is evident by the high market turnover and return on picky stocks, said the stock broker.
"The prime bourse paused amidst the investors' profit taking attitude. The investors realised their gains in several industry leading stocks like Lafarge Surma and GP," commented International Leasing Securities.
However, the price increment in various small cap stocks in financial institutions and insurance sectors implies that the investors are expecting further returns in their investments in these sectors, said the International Leasing Securities.
IDLC Investments said: "Large cap stocks still demonstrating strong conviction from investors' part, while a number of NBFIs showed up in the top gaining list".
The major sectors posted mixed performance. NBFIs posted the highest gain of 2.11 per cent followed by fuel and power gaining 0.39 per cent. Telecommunication closed almost flat in green with 0.06 per cent gain.
Food and allied went down by 0.76 per cent. Pharmaceuticals and banks edged down by 0.08 per cent and 0.05 per cent respectively.