Dhaka stocks soar to 18-month high on post-poll optimism

The benchmark index climbs 200 points, its biggest jump in 18 months

Bangladesh’s benchmark stock index posted its biggest single-day gain in nearly a year and a half on Sunday, as investors reacted to the BNP landslide election victory and the prospect of a new government.

The Dhaka Stock Exchange’s (DSE) broad index, the DSEX, closed up 200 points, or about 3.7 percent, at 5,600.65, its largest single-day rise since Aug 6, 2024, when it climbed 197 points after the fall of the Awami League government.

The rally gathered pace after the Feb 12 parliamentary election, in which the BNP-led alliance secured 212 seats and is set to form a government on Tuesday.

The index had already risen 82 points in the last session before the vote. It extended gains immediately after trading resumed, climbing 197 points by midday before closing higher.

Turnover surged to Tk 12.72 billion, near a record high and just below the Tk 12.78 billion traded on Sept 9, 2025.

Gainers overwhelmed losers, with 364 of 394 traded issues advancing, 26 declining and four unchanged.

Banking stocks accounted for 26.35 percent of total turnover, or Tk 3.33 billion. Pharmaceuticals and chemicals followed with Tk 1.77 billion in trades, while textiles saw Tk 1.55 billion.

One Bank hit its 10 percent upper circuit breaker limit to close at Tk 8.80. Munno Fabrics rose 9.85 percent to Tk 24.50, marking one of the day’s strongest performances.

Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC led decliners, falling nearly 5 percent.