Stocks close higher

All indexes of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) rose yesterday although most of the shares did not see any activity due to poor participation of investors amid the persisting economic uncertainty.

The DSEX, the benchmark index of the premier bourse in Bangladesh, gained 17 points, or 0.27 per cent, to close at 6,232.

Turnover, an important indicator of the market, inched up 4 per cent to Tk 339 crore from the previous session's Tk 323 crore.

The DS30, the blue-chip index, advanced 0.58 per cent to 2,202 while the DSES, the shariah-compliant index, added 0.73 per cent to 1,363.

Of the securities, only 47 advanced, 41 declined, and 216 did not show any price movement.

The market started positively but the risk-averse investors are following an "wait and see" approach as investors are uncertain about the future market movement, said International Leasing Securities Ltd in its daily market analysis.

On the day, the IT sector rose 2.8 per cent, the tannery sector was up 1.9 per cent, and the pharmaceuticals sector added 0.9 per cent.

The paper sector suffered the worst correction, falling 2.9 per cent. The life insurance sector gave up 0.6 per cent and the general insurance was down 0.4 per cent.

Aamra Networks secured the top spot on the gainers' list with a 9.97 per cent rise. Chartered Life Insurance Company advanced 9.92 per cent, while Apex Foods, BDCOM Online and Beacon Pharmaceuticals rose 7 per cent to 8.6 per cent.

Orion Infusion suffered the highest loss shedding more than 8 per cent. Advent Pharma, Padma Islami Life Insurance, Republic Insurance Company, and Progressive Life Insurance lost between 4 per cent and 6 per cent.

Genex Infosys was the most-traded stock with its shares worth Tk 23 crore transacting.

Navana Pharmaceuticals, Bashundhara Paper Mills, Square Pharmaceuticals, and Aamra Networks witnessed significant turnover as well.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange rose for the second consecutive day yesterday.

The Caspi, the all-share price index of the bourse in the port city, gained 62 points, or 0.34 per cent, to close at 18,102.

Of the issues, 30 rose, 25 retreated and 76 did not see any price swing.

Turnover surged more than 30 per cent to Tk 17 crore from Tk 13 crore in the previous session.