Stocks rise on bellwethers

Dhaka stocks returned to the black yesterday with price appreciation in major market players, including banks, non-bank financial institutions and fuel and power companies.
The benchmark index of Dhaka Stock Exchange, DSE General Index (DGEN), gained by 10.72 points, or 0.41 percent, to 2,580.8. The DSE All Share Price Index rose by 9.04 points, or 0.42 percent, to 2,147.74.
The banking sector traded up as most banks increased after losing marginally for the last few days. Islami Bank gained the highest 3.6 percent and AB Bank 2.6 percent.
The NBFIs were maintaining a rising trend with occasional profit taking. Prime Finance was up 9.5 percent, while First Lease lost 6.9 percent.
After a bearish spell for a couple of days, fuel and power shares gained. Summit Power rose by 6.1 percent and Padma Oil by 15 percent.
Pharmaceuticals, cement and services and real estate sectors finished up.
Advancers beat losers 141 to 96. Eleven securities remained unchanged.
A total of 3,39,20,562 shares worth Tk 636.27 crore changed hands on the premier bourse.
Beximco topped the turnover leaders, with 28,08,900 shares worth Tk 68.45 crore being traded, followed by Summit Power, LankaBangla Finance, Beximco Pharma, Bextex, Eastern Housing, Summit Alliance Port, Titas Gas, Square Pharma and IFIC Bank.
Chittagong stocks also posted gains yesterday. The CSE Selective Categories Index rose by 28.32 points, or 0.5 percent to 5,615.71. The CSE All Share Index also increased by 43.86 points, or 0.5 percent, to 8,659.4.
A total of 57,70,867 shares worth Tk 70.65 crore changed hands on the port city bourse. Of the traded scrips, 79 advanced, 74 declined and four remained unchanged.
Beximco topped the turnover leaders, with 2,71,700 shares worth Tk 6.60 crore being traded. Other turnover leaders were Summit Power, Bextex, Beximco Pharma, Square Pharma, Maksons Spinning, LankaBangla Finance, Eastern Housing, Shinepukur Ceramics and Beximco Synthetics.