The country’s stock markets closed lower yesterday, marking a downturn on the first trading day of the week. Both the main bourse, the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), and the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) saw declines in their indices and trading activities.

Market analysis shows that the DSE index started the day slightly higher but fell sharply under selling pressure. By the end of the day, the DSEX lost 23 points, closing at 5,127 points, down from 5,150 points in the previous session. The DS-30 index dropped 11 points to 1,987, while the Shariah-based DSES fell 5 points to 1,084.

Banking sector shares were the main contributors to the fall, with five out of the top ten declining stocks coming from this sector. The affected companies include Brac Bank, Prime Bank, Pubali Bank, City Bank, and EXIM Bank. Other contributors were Square Pharmaceuticals, Walton Hi-Tech Industries, LafargeHolcim Bangladesh, National Bank, and Kohinoor Chemicals. These declines collectively reduced the market index by 17.6 points.

Total turnover at DSE yesterday was BDT 461 crore, down from BDT 668 crore in the previous session. Among 399 traded companies, mutual funds, and corporate bonds, prices rose for 142 issues, fell for 198, and remained unchanged for 59. Sector-wise, banking led with a 14.5% share of total trading, followed by general insurance (12%), pharmaceuticals & chemicals (9.2%), engineering (8.6%), and textiles (7.8%).

Most sectors posted negative returns, with cement leading at a 1.7% drop, IT at 1.5%, and travel & leisure and mutual funds each down 1%. On the positive side, general insurance gained 2.8% and jute 1.9%.

On the CSE, the selected CSCX index fell 18 points to 8,864, while the all-shares CASPI index declined 24 points to 14,389. Total turnover was BDT 11 crore, compared with nearly BDT 16 crore in the previous session.