Business Desk

The stock markets of Dhaka and Chittagong showed a steady rise over the past two days after consecutive declines last week.

The indices of both markets rose and the share prices of the majority of companies also saw an increase.

On Monday, the benchmark index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), DSEX, gained 19 points. This followed a 13-point rise the previous day, bringing the main index to 5,145 points.

The other two indices also saw growth.

The Shariah-based DSES rose by 3 points, while the blue-chip index DS-30 gained 1 point. Of the 399 companies that were traded, 219 saw an increase in share prices, 113 experienced a decline, and 67 saw no change in their share prices.

Most companies across the three categories (A, B, and Z) saw price increases. In category A, 123 companies’ share prices rose, while 65 fell, and 31 remained unchanged.

In category B, 46 companies' shares rose, 30 declined, and 11 remained stable. For category Z, 47 companies saw price increases, 18 saw decreases, and 24 remained unchanged.

Among the 37 mutual funds traded, 19 saw price increases, 6 experienced declines, and 12 remained unchanged. Out of the 4 corporate bonds issued, 3 remained stable, and one saw a decline in value.

In the block market, a total of 24 companies traded 2.9 million shares worth Tk 140 million. The largest transaction was by Midland Bank, which sold 1.2 million shares worth Tk 32.9 million.

Along with the rise in indices, the overall trading volume in DSE also increased. After seven working days, DSE's transactions crossed the Tk 4 billion mark.

On the day, DSE witnessed a turnover of Tk 4.31 billion, which is Tk 560 million higher than the previous day.

Regarding the market’s positive performance, the Executive Director of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), Rezaul Karim, said that the Commission's main objective is to allow the market to move at its own pace.

While there may be significant upturns on some days and downturns on others, the Commission is working to stabilise the market and protect it from such volatility.

On market reforms, Rezaul mentioned that the task force is working in full swing.

Focus groups have been formed to identify market issues and take appropriate actions to resolve them.

In Chittagong, despite a dip in the first hour of trading, the market ended on a positive note. The overall index of the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) rose by 31 points by the close of trading.

Of the 206 companies traded, 100 saw price increases, 69 experienced declines, and 37 saw no change in their share prices. A total of 39.4 million BDT worth of shares and units were traded.

In CSE, Intech Limited recorded a 10% price increase, leading the market, while Hamid Fabrics PLC saw a nearly 10% decrease, finishing at the bottom. On the DSE, Prime Finance First Mutual Fund gained 10%, leading the market, while Meghna Cement Mills saw a 6.5% decline, finishing at the bottom.