Dhaka stocks gain on strength of small-cap stocks

The stock market of the country returned to positive terrain on Tuesday due to the increase in the share prices of small-cap companies.

However, the trading movement remained dull on the day despite an increase in the index.

The number of gainers on the day was four times more than losers — a feat witnessed after several days on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE).

Still then, a large number of shares were still tumbling at the floor price.

On the DSE, the share prices of 86 companies increased against the decrease of 21 companies. And 248 were traded at the previous prices, the maximum of which were at the floor price.

Most of the companies that had risen in value were of small capital. Six of the top ten are such companies. And if the number of two mid-cap companies is taken into account, this number stood at 8.

At the end of the day, DSEX, the key index of DSE, rose by 20 points or 0.32 percent to settle at 6,328.

Among other indices, the shariah-based DSES ended the day 6 points higher and the blue-chip DS30 2 points lower.

The DSE had a turnover of Tk 623.50 crore, which is the lowest in 50 working days, excluding Monday’s trade.

The previous transaction was less than this on August 11. Tk 583.76 crore was traded in DSE that day.

Shares and units of 355 companies were traded on DSE. Of these, 70 percent of companies’ share prices remain unchanged. And 6 percent company’s shares and units fell against a rise of only 24 percent.

The shares of miscellaneous sector was the most traded stocks of the day. The total turnover in this sector was Tk 112 crore, which is 18.84 percent of the total turnover.

The pharmaceuticals and chemicals sector was at the second position with Tk 100 crore turnover, followed by engineering sector at Tk 89 crore.

Shares of Beximco Limited were the most-traded by value on the DSE as its shares worth Tk 79 crore were traded on the day.

Anwar Galvanizing, which was the second most-traded stock, had a turnover of Tk 33 crore followed by Orion Pharma, Intraco, Easetern Housing, ADN Telecom, Sea Pearl, Orion Infusion, Aamra Tech and Sonali Paper.

Meanwhile, the overall index CASPI of the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) increased by 20 point to 18,654 and securities worth Tk 20.66 crore were traded on the day.