Bangladesh’s capital market experienced a downward trend in key indices during the first week of August, despite a rise in average daily turnover, according to market data.
At the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the benchmark DSEX index declined by nearly 1 percent over four trading sessions. Week-on-week, the index fell by 35 points to close at 5,861.
Other indices at the bourse also posted losses. The DS30 index, which tracks blue-chip stocks, dropped 25 points to 2,192 from 2,217 in the previous week. The Shariah-based DSES index fell by 15 points to settle at 1,881.
Market analysis shows that a total of 389 securities—including companies, mutual funds, and corporate bonds—were traded during the week. Of these, prices increased for 188 securities, declined for 179, while 22 remained unchanged. Trading did not take place in 22 securities.
Major contributors to the index decline included British American Tobacco, Beximco Pharmaceuticals, Islami Bank, Al-Arafah Islami Bank, and UCB.
In terms of turnover, the DSE recorded a total transaction value of Tk 4,727 crore during the four trading days, compared to Tk 5,300 crore in the previous week, which had five trading days. However, average daily turnover rose by nearly 12 percent to Tk 1,182 crore, up from Tk 1,060 crore a week earlier.
Sector-wise, the textile sector dominated trading, accounting for 22.1 percent of total turnover. The general insurance sector followed with 14 percent, while pharmaceuticals and chemicals contributed 11.5 percent. Engineering accounted for 9.6 percent, and mutual funds made up 6.9 percent of total transactions.
In terms of sectoral performance, mutual funds posted the highest positive return of 4.9 percent. General insurance gained 3 percent, life insurance 2.9 percent, jute 2.5 percent, services 2.4 percent, and paper 0.1 percent. On the downside, the food and allied sector recorded the highest negative return at 2.8 percent, followed by ceramics (1.6 percent) and cement (1.3 percent).
Meanwhile, the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also experienced a decline. The CASPI index fell by 0.22 percent to 15,725 points from 15,760 in the previous week. The CSCX index dropped 0.37 percent to 9,581 points.
The CSE recorded a total turnover of Tk 80 crore during the week. Among 329 traded securities, prices increased for 179, declined for 127, and remained unchanged for 23.
Overall, the market reflected a mixed trend, with declining indices indicating cautious investor sentiment, while increased average turnover suggested continued trading activity.
