The stock market indices in Bangladesh saw an increase yesterday despite concerns surrounding the political environment, particularly related to a case involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her associates for alleged crimes against humanity.
The benchmark DSEX at the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) rose by 42 points, equivalent to a 0.90 percent gain, reaching 4,774. Additionally, other indices also experienced upward movements. The shariah-compliant companies index, DSES, went up by 15.30 points, representing a 1.55 percent increase to 1,000, while the DS30 index, which tracks blue-chip firms, rose by 9.37 points, or 0.50 percent, closing at 1,869.90. Market data revealed that 322 issues advanced, 35 declined, and 16 remained unchanged, with total turnover increasing by 18 percent year-on-year to Tk 348 crore.
The pharmaceuticals sector emerged as the market leader, contributing to 14.2 percent of the total turnover. Notably, Square Pharmaceuticals was the most actively traded stock, followed by Anwar Galvanizing Ltd and Khan Brothers PP Woven Bag Industries Ltd. However, Square Pharma experienced a decline of 4.66 percent, ending at Tk 203.
GPH Ispat recorded the highest gain, surging by 9.8 percent, with other top gainers including Intech Online, ISN Limited, Sharp Industries, and Lovello Ice Cream. Sector-wise, mutual funds saw the most significant increase at 3.7 percent, followed by information technology (IT), life insurance, and non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs).
Among the top-performing sectors were NBFIs, jute, and cement, while telecommunications and miscellaneous sectors faced declines, as reported by UCB Stock Brokerage Limited. Large-cap sectors mostly witnessed gains, led by a 1.71 percent rise in NBFIs, followed by engineering (1.61 percent), banking (1 percent), fuel and power (0.99 percent), food and allied (0.70 percent), and telecommunications (0.63 percent). The pharmaceutical sector was the sole sector to register a loss, declining by 0.63 percent.
Over at the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE), the main index CASPI also saw an increase, rising by 41.70 points or 0.31 percent to close at 13,368.53.