Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)-Dhaka stocks perked up for the second consecutive session on Sunday, led by energy and mutual funds.
The market started on a positive note on the day as the benchmark index of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) crossed the 4,900 mark in the first hour of trade. Then, it began to slide slowly losing a few points before the end of trade.
The benchmark DSE General Index (DGEN) closed at an all-time high of 4,876.25 with a gain of 38.19 points or 0.76 per cent, according to official data.
The broader All Shares Price Index (DSI) gained 29.43 points or 0.73 per cent to end at 4,030.21, while the DSE 20 blue chip index soared by 11.12 points or 0.40 per cent to 2773.97.
After their fear that the securities regulator might intervene in the market in near future was assuaged, the investors took position anew, sending the market into the positive territory, stock dealers said.
Grameenphone, the most traded issue on the day, retraced 0.33 per cent after witnessing a solid appreciation last week.
The banking sector, the bell-wether of the market, lost marginally. However, Premier Bank edged 2.74 per cent higher.
Majority of the non-banking financial institutions (NBFIs) closed in the red, but the sector advanced noticeably thanks to a significant gain of 10 per cent posted by ICB.
Most of the pharmaceutical companies ended lower, but Square, one of the country's top drug producers, rose 4.10 per cent. Insurance issues closed in the negative.
Gainers took a lead over losers, as out of 239 issues traded, 140 closed in the positive territory, 96 in the negative and three remained unchanged.
However, the turnover increased to BDT 11.07 billion, up 3.26 percent from the previous session's BDT 10.72 billion.
BBN/SS/SI/AD-18January10-12:50 am (BST)