The indices of stock market in Bangladesh gained yesterday despite jitters over the political climate, centred on the verdict in a case against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and two of her aides over crimes against humanity.
At the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the benchmark DSEX rose 42 points, or 0.90 percent, to 4,774. Other indices also advanced.
The DSES, which tracks shariah-compliant companies, climbed 15.30 points, or 1.55 percent, to 1,000, while the DS30, representing blue-chip firms, increased 9.37 points, or 0.50 percent, to 1,869.90.Market activity showed that 322 issues advanced, 35 declined, and 16 remained unchanged. Total turnover rose 18 percent year-on-year to Tk 348 crore.
The pharmaceuticals sector led the market, accounting for 14.2 percent of total turnover.
Square Pharmaceuticals was the most traded stock, followed by Anwar Galvanizing Ltd and Khan Brothers PP Woven Bag Industries Ltd.
Square Pharma, however, fell 4.66 percent, closing at Tk 203.
GPH Ispat led the gainers with a 9.8 percent rise, followed by Intech Online, ISN Limited, Sharp Industries, and Lovello Ice Cream
Sector-wise, mutual funds rose the most at 3.7 percent, followed by information technology (IT), life insurance, and non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs).
Top-performing sectors included NBFIs, jute, and cement, while telecommunications and miscellaneous sectors declined, according to UCB Stock Brokerage Limited.
According to BRAC EPL Stock Brokerage, most large-cap sectors posted gains, led by NBFIs with a 1.71 percent rise, followed by engineering (1.61 percent), banking (1 percent), fuel and power (0.99 percent), food and allied (0.70 percent), and telecommunications (0.63 percent).
Pharmaceuticals was the only sector to post a loss, declining 0.63 percent.
At the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE), stocks also advanced. The CASPI, the main index, gained 41.70 points, or 0.31 percent, closing at 13,368.53.