Stocks posted modest gain yesterday, as concerns over the political strife subdued somewhat due to relaxation of shutdown on the day.
Most investors, however, still remained on the sidelines, pushing the trade volume down.
The benchmark index DSEX rose 23 points or 0.5% to close at 4,649, after ending extending its losing streak for the fourth straight session.
The Shariah Index DSES was up 10 points or 1% to 1,115. The comprising blue chips DS30 ended 15 points or 0.8% higher to 1,729.
Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) Selective Categories Index, CSCX, settled at 8,614, falling only 4 points.
The BNP-led alliance eased hartal yesterday for 12 hours on celebration of Bangladesh’s lift to the quarterfinals in the cricket World Cup tournament.
Trading activities still declined as turnover at the Dhaka Stock Exchange stood at Tk255 crore, down by more than 12% over the previous session.
Engineering sector dominated the trading, making up 17.8% of the total turnover.
Cement sector continued to shine rising more than 5.6%, led by heavyweight Lafarge Surma Cement that rallied 8%.
Food & allied, fuel & power, tannery, pharmaceuticals and telecommunications ended in the negative territory.
Financial stocks—banks and non-banking financial institutions—continued to make marginal falls.
But the market breadth remained negative as out of 304 issues traded, 137 declined, 110 advanced and 57 remained unchanged.
LankaBangla Securities said though the BNP-led alliance had relaxed its strike, indication of extension of the countrywide shutdown kept the market sentiment subdued with little impact on equity market.
IDLC Investments said majority of the investors nevertheless remained pessimistic, refraining from trading activities, keeping turnover at lower level.
Shahjibazar Power company continued to top turnover leaders with shares worth around Tk5 crore changing hands, followed by Square Pharmaceuticals, IFAD Autos, Lafarge Surma Cement Limited, Shasha Denim, Beximco Limited and Grameenphone.
