Dhaka stocks advanced for the fourth trading session on Thursday as institutional investors, encouraged by the central bank’s directive allowing banks another year to adjust their capital market exposure, continued to buy shares despite political unrest. The turnover of Dhaka Stock Exchange, however, dropped on the day, the second day of the sixth spell of blockade called by the opposition political alliance.
DSEX, the benchmark general index of the DSE, increased to 4,314.09 points, adding 0.65 per cent or 27.94 points.
Market operators said institutional investors remained active on the market after Bangladesh Bank on Monday extended time by one more year for adjusting single borrower exposure limit by the commercial banks’ subsidiary brokerage houses and merchant banks.
Upward trend in the share prices in the last few days also prompted retail investors to increase their participation, they said.
DS30, the blue-chip index of the bourse, advanced by 1.80 per cent, or 26.69 points, to close at 1,505.08 points on Thursday, the last trading session of the week.
The turnover of the bourse declined to Tk 370.83 crore from Tk 411.97 crore in the previous trading session.
Of the 289 shares and mutual funds traded on the day, 150 advanced, 107 declined and 32 remained unchanged.
‘Despite the prevailing uncertainty, the last trading session before the general elections ended positive,’ IDLC Investments said in its daily market commentary.
Initially hesitant market spawned robust gain in the day closing just above 4,300 points level at 4,314 points, it said.
‘Large caps took lead on Thursday, generating 1.50 per cent return. Consequently, the blue-chip index DS30 closed at one-month high level of 1,505 points,’ IDLC said.
Appollo Ispat Complex led the turnover leaders with its shares worth Tk 23.33 crore changing hands on the day.
Lankabangla Finance, Summit Purbanchol Power Company, Golden Son, Grameenphone, Generation Next Fashions, Square Pharmaceuticals, Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company, Active Fine Chemicals and Delta Life Insurance were also among the other turnover leaders.
Fourth ICB Mutual Fund gained the most on Thursday with an 8.57-per cent rise in its share price, while Midas Financing was the worst loser, shedding 9.34 per cent.
-With New Age input
