Stocks end marginally higher

Dhaka stocks managed to end in positive territory after shedding early gains on Tuesday.

The market had started strong but the last one hour saw modest profit-booking, which dragged down some of the index heavyweights.

After crossing briefly historical highest of 7,407 in the morning, the benchmark DSEX index ended 19 points or 0.26 per cent higher to settle at 7,351---- its all-time closing high. The index made an intraday high of 74 points.

The Shariah-based DSES index rose 5 points or 0.26 per cent to settle at 1,600. The blue-chip comprising DS30 index added nearly 10 points or 0.34 per cent to 2,787.

As many as 374 scrips were traded, of which 112 advanced, 231 declined and 31 remained unchanged.

The profit booking on some of the heavyweights contributed to the rise in the volume of trade, as the DSE turnover increased by almost 14 per cent to Tk 2,681 crore from the previous session’s Tk 2,352 crore.

Pharmaceutical sector accounted for more than 17 per cent, fuel and power 15 per cent, and engineering nearly 13 of the total turnover.

Among major sectors, services and real estate, fuel and power and ceramics sectors experienced price appreciation while NBFI, general insurance and life insurance sectors faced correction.