Stocks extend loss as major sectors dip

Stock markets on Monday extended loss as most of the major sectors closed lower.

DSEX, the prime index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), went down by 25.61 points or 0.44 per cent to settle at 5,789.

Two other indices also edged lower. The DSE 30 Index comprising blue chips fell 8.17 points to finish at 2,202 and the DSE Shariah Index (DSES) shed 0.41 point to close at 1,296.

Turnover, a crucial indicator of the market, rose to Taka 15.85 billion on the country’s premier bourse, rising further by 8.7 per cent over the previous day’s mark of Taka 14.58 billion.

Losers took a strong lead over the gainers, as out of 359 issues traded, 202 declined, 76 advanced and 81 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor.

Beximco topped the turnover chart with 35.94 million shares worth Taka 3.303 billion changing hands, capturing nearly 21 per cent of the day’s total turnover on DSE.

Beximco posted in 255 per cent higher earnings per share (EPS) to Tk 1.92 in the first half of fiscal 2020-21, thanks to an increase in the export of personal protective equipment (PPE) and face mask

Other turnover leaders were Beximco Pharma, Square Pharma, Robi Axiata and LankaBangla Finance.

Debutant Energypac Power Generation was the day’s best performer while C&A Textile was the worst loser.

Market-cap of the DSE stood at Taka 4,853 billion on Monday, down from Taka 4,882 billion in the previous day.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended lower with the CSE All Share Price Index – CASPI –losing by 108 points to settle at 16,878 and the Selective Categories Index – CSCX shedding 65 points to close at 10,188.

Of the issues traded, 146 declined, 64 advanced and 48 remained unchanged on the CSE.

The port city’s bourse traded 13.79 million shares and mutual fund units with a turnover value of Taka 524 million.