Dhaka stocks extend rally as turnover jumps 27%

The Dhaka stock market continued its upward momentum today,
buoyed by a sharp rise in turnover and improving investor sentiment.
The benchmark index of the Dhaka
Stock Exchange, DSEX, advanced by 34 points to close at 5,156, extending gains
from the previous session. The blue-chip DS30 index also rose, adding 16 points
to settle at 1,971, reflecting strong buying interest in fundamentally sound
stocks.
Market activity saw a significant
boost, with turnover surging by 27% to Tk597 crore, signalling a return of
liquidity and growing investor confidence. The majority of listed securities
posted gains, with 275 issues closing higher, compared to 70 decliners and 48
remaining unchanged, underscoring the strength of the rally.
According to EBL Securities, the market maintained its
upward trajectory as investors showed renewed interest in beaten-down stocks,
taking advantage of attractive valuations following recent corrections.
The brokerage noted that sentiment
was further supported by ongoing ceasefire discussions related to the Middle
East war, which helped ease global uncertainties and encouraged investors to
re-enter the market.
The session began on a cautious
note, with investors engaging in selective buying amid lingering concerns.
However, as the trading day progressed, buying interest intensified, driven by
supportive domestic cues and improving confidence. This shift in sentiment led
to more decisive accumulation of stocks, ultimately pushing the indices higher
by the close of trading.
Sector-wise, the pharmaceutical
sector dominated trading activity, accounting for 16.8% of the total turnover,
followed by the engineering sector with 13.9% and the general insurance sector
with 10.8%. The strong participation across sectors suggests that the rally was
broad-based rather than concentrated in a few stocks.
Among the most actively traded stocks were Lovello Ice-cream, Acme Pesticides,
Khan Brothers PP Woven Bag, Techno Drugs, and Asiatic Laboratories, reflecting
heightened investor interest in both large and mid-cap companies.
Most sectors ended the day in
positive territory, with notable gains seen in ceramic, paper, and textile
stocks, which rose 2.7%, 2.1%, and 1.8%, respectively. The food sector was the
only segment to close in negative territory, albeit marginally, indicating
limited profit-taking in an otherwise bullish market.
Top-performing stocks of the day
included Regent Textile and Familytex, both of which gained the maximum
allowable limit, followed by Lovello Ice-cream, Atlas Bangladesh, and BD
Autocars, all posting strong price appreciation. On the losing side, Al-Arafah
Islami Bank led the declines, followed by Uttara Finance, Sunlife Insurance,
Asiatic Laboratories, and Unilever Consumer Care.
Meanwhile, the port city bourse
also ended the session in positive territory, although with minor adjustments.
The Selective Categories' Index and the All Share Price Index of the Chittagong
Stock Exchange saw slight declines, suggesting a mixed but stable performance
outside the main Dhaka market.
















