DSE turnover hits 20-month low

Turnover in the prime bourse fell by 32.5 percent to a 20-month low of Tk 273 crore yesterday.

The tussle between the stockmarket regulator and the Dhaka Stock Exchange over the selection of a strategic partner has eroded investors' confidence to a great extent, which mainly caused the fall, experts said.

Industry insiders also blamed the ongoing liquidity crisis, which is preventing institutional investors from making fresh investments. The broad index—DSEX—gained 5 points before closing the day at 5,827 while the blue chip index—DS30—ended flat.

“Performance of most of the institutional investors is very poor now, as they have reached their capital market exposure limit,” said Khairul Bashar Abu Taher Mohammed, secretary general of Bangladesh Merchant Bankers Association.

The Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation recommended 30 percent cash dividend for the year that ended on December 31, 2017.

The trustee committee of Vanguard AML Rupali Bank Balanced Fund declared 12 percent cash dividend for the year that ended on December 31, 2017. The record date for entitlement of both the dividends is March 29.