Weekly turnover on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) fell by around 20 percent as the market struggled with continuous declines, discouraging investors from active trading despite a positive start to the year.

According to the DSE’s weekly review, the average daily turnover dropped to Tk 380 crore from Tk 474 crore in the previous week, reflecting reduced participation as share prices declined on most trading days.

All major indices on the DSE closed lower during the week. The benchmark DSEX lost 39 points to settle at 4,958, down from 4,998 at the start of the week.

The Shariah-based DSES shed 14 points, while the blue-chip DS30 fell by 2 points. The SME index, DSMEX, also declined by 5 points.

Most listed companies saw their share prices fall over the week. Of the traded issues, prices declined for 268 companies, rose for 93, and remained unchanged for 25.

Sector-wise, prices fell in the majority of sectors. Out of 21 sectors, only four—ceramic, corporate bonds, general insurance and life insurance—posted gains, while the rest closed lower.

The banking sector witnessed a sharp downturn, with share prices falling by 50 percent and turnover dropping by 51 percent. In the non-bank financial institutions sector, prices declined by 36 percent, although turnover increased by 44 percent.

Speculative activity in loss-making Z-category companies dominated the weekly gainers’ list. Four of the top five gainers on the DSE were Z-category firms, while the remaining one belonged to the B category with minimum dividend.

Peoples Leasing and Financial Services Limited topped the gainers’ chart, posting a 33 percent weekly return despite trading below Tk 1 per share.

Z-category companies also dominated the losers’ list. All of the top five decliners belonged to this category.

Bangladesh Industrial Finance Company Limited hit the bottom, losing 23 percent over the week. Its share price has fallen to 90 paisa from Tk 9 over the past year.

CSE Also Ends Lower

The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) mirrored the downward trend. The overall CASPI index dropped 73 points during the week.

The blue-chip indices CSE30 and CSE50 declined by 11 points and 4 points respectively, while the Shariah-based index fell by 8 points.

In contrast to the DSE, the SME index on the CSE edged up, with the CSESME Index gaining 5 points.

Prices declined for most traded issues on the CSE as well. Of the traded companies, prices fell for 169, rose for 85, and remained unchanged for 20.

Krishibid Seed Limited topped the gainers’ list on the CSE, while International Leasing and Financial Services Limited ended as the top loser.

Orion Infusion Limited, Fine Foods Limited, Sunlife Insurance Company Limited and Square Pharmaceuticals PLC featured among the most-traded stocks on the CSE during the week.