DSEX crosses 7,100-mark after three months

A volatile session at the Dhaka Stock Exchange ended on a mixed note on Thursday with the benchmark DSEX index inching up after crossing 7,100-mark for the first time in more than three months.

Following weathering sale pressure amidst cautious trading, the index edged 16 points or 0.22 per cent to settle at 7,105—the highest not seen before October 17, 2021 when it was 7, 186.

Looming uncertainty regarding resurgence in coronavirus cases forced investors to trade cautiously, dealers say. The volume of trade by value declined to Tk 1, 601 crore from the previous session’s Tk 1,735 crore.

The Shariah-based DSES index saw a fractional gain of 0.75 points or 0.04 per cent up at 1,508 while the blue-chip comprising DS30 index added 18 points or 0.69 per cent to 2,635.

Earlier, trading began on a positive note but selling pressure strengthened as the day passed. Investors were persistently wary of the resurgence of coronavirus cases. Beximco, the flagship company of the country’s business conglomerate Beximco Group, continued to play vital role in propelling the key index, contributing more than 12 points to the index. Other market pullers included Beximco Pharmaceuticals, Linde BD, and Square Pharmaceuticals.

Beximco Ltd also dominated the trading with shares worth Tk 246 crore changed hands, making up more than 15 per cent of the total turnover.

Shares of 378 companies were traded during the session. At the close of trading, 162 scrips closed in the green, 174 in the red, and 42 remained unchanged.

Keya Cosmetics hit the upper limit circuit at 10 per cent without any fundamental reason, making it the top gainer. The company was followed by Deshbandhu Polymer, Golden Son, Global Heavy Chemicals and newly listed Union Insurance. Tallu Spinning was the worst loser slumping over 25 per cent following trade resumption after the record date.