Stocks end flat

Shares on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) were almost flat yesterday while turnover rose slightly amid the intensification of the coronavirus pandemic.

The DSEX, the benchmark index of the premier bourse, edged up 4 points, or 0.06 per cent, to 7,085 at the end of the day.

The flat trading activity came as at least 8,016 new infections were recorded and 33 people died from Covid-19 in the 24 hours to Wednesday, said the Directorate General of Health Services.

The intensification of the infection rate generated fear among the investors, so they are parking their funds quite cautiously, according to a stockbroker.

The turnover, an important indicator of the market, rose 9 per cent to Tk 1,254 crore. On the DSE, 171 stocks were up, 163 were down and 46 remained unchanged.

Bangladesh Shipping Corporation was the most-traded stock, worth Tk 86 crore, followed by Orion Pharmaceuticals, British American Tobacco Bangladesh, Beximco, and Bay Leasing and Investment.

Shyampur Sugar Mills topped the gainers' list, rising 9.97 per cent, followed by Zeal Bangla Sugar Mills, Union Insurance Company, Aramit Cement, and BD Thai Food and Beverage.

Takaful Islami Insurance shed the most, eroding 3.6 per cent, followed by Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company, FAS Finance and Investment, Western Marine Shipyard, and Bay Leasing and Investment.

The stocks posted modest gains on opening as the investors adopted a cautious stance ahead of the December-end earnings and dividend declarations, said International Leasing Securities in its daily market review.

At the end of the session, the stocks edged a little bit higher, facing a bumpy ride throughout the session.

Among the sectors, travel and leisure rose 1.7 per cent and textile 0.7 per cent whereas general food and allied dropped 1.9 per cent and tannery 1.2 per cent.

Investors' activity was mostly concentrated on pharmaceuticals and chemicals (15.5 per cent), engineering (13.6 per cent), and miscellaneous (12.2 per cent) sectors.

Shares on the Chittagong Stock Exchange also rose yesterday. The CASPI, the main index of the port city bourse, went up 26 points, or 0.13 per cent, to 20,747.

Among 309 stocks to undergo trade, 129 advanced, 102 fell and 41 remained the same.