Bangladesh’s stock market posted a positive start to 2026, with key indices advancing on both the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) during the first five trading sessions of the year.
Over the week, the DSE’s benchmark index DSEX gained 87 points, rising from 4,910 to 4,998 points—an increase of 1.79 percent.
Compared with the same period of 2025, the market opened more strongly this year, with the index recording a year-on-year rise of 2.74 percent.
The Shariah-based DSES index added 4 points, while the blue-chip DS30 index advanced by 45 points. On a year-on-year basis, DSES rose by 1 percent and DS30 by more than 3 percent.
Average daily turnover on the DSE increased by around 34 percent week-on-week, climbing from Tk 354 crore to Tk 474 crore. The total volume of traded shares also rose by more than 42 percent during the week.
However, the number of declining stocks slightly outweighed gainers. Weekly data show that prices rose for 176 companies, fell for 177, while 36 remained unchanged.
Sector-wise, share prices advanced across all sectors except jute. The banking and financial sectors showed a notable recovery after recent setbacks. Over the five sessions, prices increased for 76 percent of banking stocks, while more than 100 percent of financial sector stocks recorded gains.
Of the 36 listed banks, prices of 25 rose, two declined and nine remained unchanged. Turnover in banking stocks jumped by more than 80 percent.
In the non-bank financial sector, although prices of several institutions declined, strong gains by fundamentally sound companies lifted the overall sector. Trading volume in the sector rose by nearly 45 percent.
In the insurance sector, prices of general insurance companies increased by 54 percent, while life insurance stocks rose by 34 percent. Trading volume climbed by 78 percent and 37 percent respectively.
The pharmaceuticals and telecom sectors—two key market segments—also saw strong momentum, with prices rising by 71 percent in pharmaceuticals and nearly 73 percent in telecom.
Orion Infusion Limited, Square Pharmaceuticals PLC, City Bank PLC, Uttara Bank PLC and Fine Foods Limited topped the weekly turnover chart on the DSE.
In the block market, Square Pharmaceuticals led with a Tk 30 crore sale through the Single Deal System, followed by Fine Foods with Tk 23 crore. Orion Infusion, GQ Ball Pen and Grameenphone also featured prominently in block trades.
Among top gainers, Z-category stock Tallu Spinning Mills Limited recorded a return of over 20 percent. At the bottom, another Z-category company—People’s Leasing and Financial Services Limited—lost more than 27 percent.
The market rally was mirrored on the CSE, where the overall CASPI index rose by 302 points, marking a weekly gain of 2.20 percent. The CSE’s blue-chip indices CSE30 and CSE50 advanced by more than 2 percent and 3 percent respectively.
On the CSE, prices increased for 144 companies, declined for 106, while 22 remained unchanged.
N-category stocks Mostafa Metal Industries Limited and Master Feed Agrotec Limited topped the gainers’ list, while FAS Finance and Investment Limited and Alif Industries Limited were the top losers.
Weekly turnover on the CSE was dominated by shares of Orion Infusion, Fine Foods, Saiham Cotton Mills, Khan Brothers PP Woven Bag and Grameenphone.