Stocks slipped into the red on Wednesday, after a single-day break, as investors remained cautious amid a lack of clear market direction.
DSEX, the prime index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), went down 2.81 points or 0.04 per cent to settle at 6,754, after gaining over 20 points in the previous day.
Two other indices also edged lower with the DSE 30 Index, comprising blue chips, shedding 2.05 points to finish at 2,536 and the DSE Shariah Index (DSES) losing 2.63 points to close at 1,433.
Turnover, a crucial indicator of the market, remained low and amounted to Tk 7.67 billion, which was 18 per cent higher than the previous day’s eight-month lowest turnover of Tk 6.52 billion.
Market analysts said the investors are struggling with a lack of confidence amid concern over omicron while the deteriorating situation between regulators regarding some policy issues affected their sentiments.
Losers took a modest lead over the gainers, as out of 377 issues transacted, 186 declined, 142 advanced and 49 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor.
Beximco was the most traded stock with shares worth Tk 915 million changing hands, followed by Sonali Paper & Board Mills, GSP Finance, ONE Bank, and Fortune Shoes.
Stylecraft was the highest gainer, gaining 9.93 per cent while Paper Processing & Printing was the day’s worst loser, losing 6.42 per cent.
The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also edged lower with the CSE All Share Price Index – CASPI –losing 12 points to settle at 19,667 and the Selective Categories Index – CSCX-- shedding 8.39 points to close at 11,818.
Of the issues traded, 127 declined, 121 advanced and 45 remained unchanged on the CSE.
The port-city bourse traded 12.40 million shares and mutual fund units while turnover rose sharply to Tk 1.10 billion.
