Stocks keep gaining

Dhaka stocks finished higher yesterday as investors showed higher interest in telecommunication, pharma and banking shares.

DSEX, the benchmark index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), ballooned 35.67 points, or 0.51 per cent to close at 7,055.27 yesterday.

The blue-chip index, DS30, and the Shariah-based index, DSES, also gained on the day.

Turnover, an important market indicator, edged up 12 per cent to Tk 1,686.7 crore yesterday from Tk 1,506 the previous day.

Large-cap sectors posted mixed performances, BRAC EPL Stock Brokerage Ltd said in its daily market update.

The telecommunication sector booked the highest gain of 0.80 per cent followed by pharmaceuticals with 0.39 per cent, and banking with 0.38 per cent, it added.

Fuel and power experienced the highest loss.

At the DSE, Bangladesh Shipping Corporation was the most highly traded stock with shares worth Tk 131 crore changing hands. Saif Powertec was the second most highly traded script.

Union Insurance, Samorita Hospital and Orion Infusion topped the gainers list while Taufika Foods, RAK Ceramics and Prime Life Insurance were the biggest losers.

At the DSE, 173 stocks gained, 152 declined and 54 closed unchanged.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange also rose yesterday. The CASPI, the main index of the CSE, closed 83 points, or 0.40 per cent, higher at 20,650.