Stocks post moderate gain on energy

Dhaka stocks clinched a moderate gain yesterday, led by energy, telecom and textile shares.
The benchmark index of Dhaka Stock Exchange, DSE General Index, rose 44.57 points, or 0.72 percent, to 6152.38. It is the highest level of the index, as the last seven days' rise set a new peak.
The energy sector advanced more than 3 percent, contributing around 0.5 percent, to the market movement.
Jamuna Oil led the rally in the sector, followed by Meghna Petroleum, Padma Oil and Powergrid. Jamuna Oil, a state-run company, was also the top gainer on the board with a 15.28 percent jump in its share price.
After falling for the last five sessions, the telecom sector where Grameenphone is the lone player took a U-turn yesterday. Each Grameenphone share gained 1.81 percent.
The textile index was up around 2.7 percent mainly due to two stocks: Bextex and Square Textile. Bextex shares increased 5.94 percent, while Square Textile rose 1.29 percent.
Shares in other regions, except the banking sector that was the only negative performer of the day, also increased.
The banking sector declined in back-to-back sessions, with most banks ending up in the red.
Advancers beat losers 138 to 106 with five securities remaining unchanged on the premier bourse.
Turnover rose by 9 percent to Tk 2,122.92 crore on transactions of 5,33,03,522 shares and mutual fund units.
Chittagong stocks post a moderate rise yesterday. The key index of Chittagong Stock Exchange, CSE Selective Categories Index, gained by 72.74 points, or 0.62 percent, to 11,629.03.
The port city bourse traded 59,43,639 shares and mutual fund units on turnover of Tk 143.24 crore. Of the traded securities, 102 advanced, 81 declined and four remained unchanged.