Dhaka stocks trading above Tk 6.6bn as investor activity rebounds

Key sectors with strong fundamentals are fuelling higher turnover as investor confidence returns to Bangladesh’s main stock exchange.

Turnover on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) has crossed Tk 6.6 billion, continuing a four-day rally driven by renewed interest in fundamentally strong sectors.

Although the benchmark index, DSEX, dipped slightly by the end of the session on Sunday, trading volumes remained robust, with banks alone contributing over Tk 910 million.

The index opened at 5,068 points and closed at 5,066.43, reflecting a minor correction following early gains and midday selling pressure.

According to DSE data, over 47 percent of total turnover came from the banking, textile, pharmaceuticals and chemicals, and food & allied sectors.

These sectors have seen a steady recovery in both share prices and trading volumes after months of market stagnation.

The pharmaceuticals and chemicals sector secured the second-highest position in turnover at Tk 748 million, followed by the food and allied sector with Tk 701 million.

Trading also gained momentum across 402 listed companies, with 177 gaining in value, 170 declining, and 55 remaining unchanged by the close.

Market analysts attribute the rising turnover to the return of institutional and individual investors who had stayed on the sidelines amid months of subdued activity.

From late April, DSE’s daily turnover had fallen below Tk 5 billion, slipping under Tk 4 billion in May, as trading volumes in key sectors like banking, insurance, and pharmaceuticals dwindled significantly.

Previously, the banking sector contributed Tk 500–700 million daily in turnover. But between April and late June, activity in the sector slumped to around Tk 300–400 million.

Similarly, the pharmaceuticals and chemicals sector dropped from its usual Tk 600–700 million range to Tk 200–300 million during the same period.

However, the last four sessions have seen turnover consistently stay above Tk 6 billion, signalling renewed investor confidence. That rebound has brought the banking, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and food sectors back to the top in terms of both value and volume.

Sunday’s total turnover stood at Tk 6.66 billion, slightly below the previous day’s Tk 6.79 billion. Block market transactions accounted for Tk 338 million.

Among top gainers by closing price were Aramit Ltd, Gemini Sea Food, and Quasem Industries, while Familltex, Rupali Bank, and The Peninsula Chittagong led the list of top losers.