Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)– Dhaka stocks gained as its benchmark index reached the all-time high level on Wednesday, market operators said.

The DSE General Index (DGEN) was up by 1.40 percent or 120.74 points to a new high of 8723.18, beating the previous high of 8721.08, recorded just a week back.

The broader DSE All Shares Price Index (DSI) gained 1.36 per cent or 97.03 points to end at 7232.20. The DSE-20 blue chip index was up by 1.38 per cent or 70.91 points to reach 5190.03.

The market started with a bullish sentiment that persisted until the end of the trading session on the day, as the investors chose to put in their money in banking stocks, they added.

Turnover increased significantly to BDT 24.79 billion, up by 29 percent over the previous session. Out of 234 issues traded, 149 advanced, 80 declined and five other remained unchanged.

Banks were the big movers on the day as the sector went up by 2.91 percent while contributing 42 percent to the total turnover value. United Commercial Bank was the turnover leader with BDT 1.3 billion turnover value while seven more banks featured in the top ten turnover list.

Among others, non-banking financial institutions lost while Telecommunication and Fuel and Power closed flat.

BBN/SSR/ANS-02Dec10-12:48 am (BST)