Despite a decline in indices in both the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE), trading demonstrated an improvement on Monday compared to the previous day.
From the first hour of trading, indices at both stock exchanges began to fall.
While investors feared a major slump, the DSEX, the DSE's benchmark index, eventually declined by just 2 points by the end of the session.
The other two indices, DS30 and the Shariah-compliant DSES, remained largely unchanged.
The CSE's broad index fell by 29 points, but trading volume increased by Tk 19.13 crore compared to the previous session. By the close of trading, shares and units worth Tk 32 crore were traded on the CSE.
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Among the day’s transactions, prices increased for 64 companies, decreased for 105 and remained unchanged for 20.
On the DSE, 399 companies participated in trading. Of these, 140 saw price increases, 178 faced declines, and 81 remained unchanged. Among the listed companies:
· A category: Prices rose for 79 companies, fell for 104, and remained unchanged for 37.
· B category: Prices increased for 25 companies, decreased for 49, and stayed the same for 16.
· Z category: Prices improved for 32 companies, declined for 25, and remained unchanged for 28.
· Z category companies performed comparatively well despite the overall index decline.
Mutual funds saw mixed results, with prices increasing for 6, decreasing for 16, and remaining stable for 15.
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In the block market, 37 companies traded 41.96 lakh shares worth Tk 35.18 crore.
Overall, the DSE recorded total transactions of Tk 344 crore, reflecting a Tk 26 crore increase compared to the previous day.
Top Movers and Decliners
Sharp Industries PLC led price gains on the DSE with a 9.8% increase in its share price. On the other hand, Express Insurance Limited experienced the steepest decline, with its share price falling by over 6%.
Dividend Payouts
Nine companies distributed dividends for the third quarter of the previous year. Among them, Sonali Paper and Board Mills Limited declared a 40% dividend per share. Over the past month, the company's share price ranged between Tk 595 at its peak and Tk 121.20 at its lowest. On Monday, its shares closed at Tk 132.
Other notable dividend payouts included:
· Crown Cement PLC: 21%
· Unique Hotel and Resorts PLC: 16%
· Argon Denims Limited: 10%
· Apex Tannery Limited: 5%
· Munnu Agro and General Machinery Limited: 3%
· Evince Textile Limited: 2.50%
· Rangpur Dairy and Food Products Limited: 2%
· Legacy Footwear Limited: 1%
The DSE also approved the renaming of Best Holdings Limited to Best Holding PLC.