The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Amidst a heavy trading and increased participation of traders, the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) ended almost flat yesterday while trading at Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) closed lower with the losers dominating the gainers.

However, turnover and the trading volume on the country's twin bourses rose from the previous day due to increased participation of investors.

Market observers termed the trend as rational and a result of maturity of the investors.

"Investors are making mature decisions," Chief executive of DSE Salahuddin Ahmed told reporters.

Trade was quite rational with investors betting on market majors and the turnover going up significantly, said Bashir Ahmed, an investment consultant of Stocks & Bonds.

"Although the general and all-share index remained almost flat but blue-chips rose, which is a good sign. Investors are betting on fundamentals, not rumours," he said.

The benchmark DGEN or general index maintained a relatively stable curve on the DSE across the trading hours to slip 0.55 points or 0.18 per cent to 2990.01.

The DSI or all-share price index crept up 3.63 points or 0.14 per cent, closing at 2567.74. The blue-chip DSE-20 finished at 2571.95, advancing 15.56 points or 0.60 per cent.

Turnover rose to Tk 3.15 billion from 20,298,646 shares, up from Sunday's Tk 2.55 billion. Losers beat gainers 112 to 104, while 12 issues held steady.

Turnover leader Keya Cosmetics finished 7.67 per cent higher at Tk 85.60. ACI ended on Tk 424.90, up 11.02 per cent.

Lanka Bangla Finance shook off Monday's losses to gain 3.07 per cent to close at Tk 231.40.

Square Pharmaceuticals ended 0.97 per cent lower at Tk 5181. Beximco Pharma rose 2.43 per cent to Tk 96.70.

Among the other scrips on the turnover board-Beximco, Prime Finance and Investment and S Alam Cold Rolled Steels-also advanced.

Apex Adelchi Footwear and AIMS 1st Mutual Fund lost.

At CSE, on the other hand, All Share Price Index (CASPI) declined by 0.007 per cent or 0.69 points to close at 9044.26 points from 9044.95 points on yesterday.

The CSCX or selective categories index shed 4.36 points or 0.07 per cent to end on 5836.60. The CASPI or all-share price index closed at 9044.26, edging down 0.69 points or 0.007 per cent.

The CSE-30 Index also shed 0.18 per cent or 14.81 points from 8072.37 points to close at Monday's 8087.18 points.

Turnover on the port city bourse surged to Tk 427.34 million from 4,571,848 shares, up from Tk 250.21 million the previous day.

Of the traded issues, 79 declined, 60 gained and seven remained unchanged.