The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) began the week with a downtrend as all three major indices registered losses in the first hour of trading.
The benchmark DSEX index dropped by 6 points, while the DS30, representing blue-chip stocks, declined by 2 points.
The Shariah-based DSES index also edged lower, losing 0.13 points.
During the initial hour, the market turnover stood at approximately Tk 80 crore. Out of the traded shares, prices of 154 stocks decreased, 122 advanced, and 80 remained unchanged.
Shares from the automobile, paper mills, fabrics, and engineering sectors performed well, maintaining a stronger position. But the banking sector showed limited activity, with only three banks making it to the top 20 performing stocks.
In the broader picture, the DSE's benchmark index has lost 38 points over the past two days, bringing the DSEX to 5,155 points.
Read: DSEx and DS30 indexes slide while DSES up by 4.16 points in 1st hour
The downward trend extended to the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) as well. In the first hour of trading, the CSE's major index also showed a decline. Prices fell for 41 stocks, increased for 27, while the turnover amounted to Tk 47 crore in shares and bonds.
This lacklustre performance at the start of the week indicates cautious investor sentiment as both bourses continue to face headwinds.