The Bangladesh stock market recorded gains for a second consecutive week driven by bargain hunting in selective large-cap and fundamental stocks, though a government decision to raise fuel prices by BDT 20 per liter has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the sustainability of the recovery.
Throughout the week, the primary index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), DSEX, advanced by 46 points or 0.83 percent to settle at 5,578 points, consolidating a cumulative two-week rise of 63 points. Daily average turnover surged by 42 percent to BDT 785 crore, culminating in a total weekly turnover of BDT 3,930 crore compared to BDT 2,774 crore in the preceding week. Market rallies were anchored by blue-chip large-caps including Square Pharmaceuticals, LafargeHolcim Bangladesh, Orion Infusion, and Mutual Trust Bank, which collectively added over 18 points to DSEX. Out of the traded issues, 252 advanced, 105 declined, and 29 remained unchanged, with Eastern Bank leading individual turnover at BDT 110 crore.
Despite the positive momentum, market analysts and brokerage houses like EBL Securities highlighted that the sudden BDT 20 per liter increase across four major fuel categories—instigated by escalating Middle East conflicts and international freight cost spikes—poses severe operational cost pressures for manufacturing and transport-heavy listed firms. Concerns over compressed profit margins and inflationary pressures delaying interest rate cuts have prompted a section of investors to adopt a cautious stance. Meanwhile, the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) mirrored the positive trend, with its All-Share Price Index (CASPI) rising 176 points to close at 14,912 points.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Business Desk • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
