Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)-Bangladesh’s stocks slipped into the red for the third running session on Monday amid volatile trading due to the investors’ indecisive behaviour.

Meanwhile, trading and official activities at the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) will remain closed on Tuesday) on the occasion of a public holiday due to Buddha Purnima.

DSEX, the prime index of the DSE, ended at 4,497.12 points, shedding 1.22 points or 0.02 percent from previous session.

The DS30, comprising blue chips lost 7.15 points or 0.43 percent to close at 1,637.88 points.

However, the DSES managed to close positive with gaining 0.64 points or 0.06 percent to close at 1,004.74 points.

Amid the shaky confidence, participation couldn’t improve much either, keeping turnover below BDT 4.0 billion level for third consecutive session.

The total turnover stood at BDT 3.94 billion, registering an increase of 4.73 percent over the previous session’s value of BDT 3.78 billion.

“The market witnessed a flat session due to the investors’ indecisive behaviour.

The investors’ reacted accordingly on mixed earnings declaration of several banks and financial institutions,” said International Leasing Securities.

“Stocks kept sliding for third consecutive session, wiping off the entirety of earlier tri-session’s gain. Beside, volatility was prominent with stock-specific movements,” said IDLC Investments.

“The market has formed a seesaw pattern after continuously drifting between gains and losses, but there was a pickup in buying during the final hour,’ observed Zenith Investments.

“After rising above 4,500 marks, market acted volatile amid low level of turnover,” said LankaBangla Securities.

Out of 286 issues traded, 159 declined, 96 advanced and 31 issues closed unchanged on the DSE floor.

Sectoral performance was mixed. Among the major sectors, NBFIs and food & allied lost marginally by 0.06 percent and 0.04 percent respectively.

Pharmaceuticals and fuel & power posted 0.43 percent and 0.25 percent gain respectively.

Telecommunications and banks also closed 0.22 percent and 0.14 percent higher.

GP became the top turnover leader for the fifth running sessions with shares worth BDT 170.20 million changing hands followed by Matin Spinning, LankaBangla Finance, MBL First Mutual Fund and Square Pharma.

National Housing Finance & Investments was the day’s highest gainer; posting a rise of 9.65 percent while Sonar Bangla Insurance was the day’s worst losers, slumping by 11.01 per cent following its price adjustment after record date.

The port city bourse — Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) — also closed marginally lower with its Selective Categories Index — CSCX lost 19.68 points to stand at 8,650.12 points.

Losers beat gainers 114 to 76, with 26 issues remaining unchanged at the port city bourse that traded 8.61 million shares and mutual fund units, turnover value of BDT 297.64 million.

BBN/BB/AD-12May14-7:30pm (BST)