Dhaka
stocks went negative on Monday after investors’ heavy buying spree in last two
trading sessions amid enforcement of 48-hour strike by the BNP-led allies that
made investors skeptical about the party’s stance on city corporation
elections.
The
key index of Dhaka Stock Exchange, DSEX, fell by 1.07 per cent, or 48.79
points, to close at 4,509.28 points on the day.
Investors
became skeptical about BNP’s stance on the city corporation elections as the
party on Sunday evening called a 48-hour strike from Monday excluding Dhaka and
Cittagong, market operators said.
Investors
since the declaration of election schedule for three city corporations have
been keeping close eye on BNP’s stand regarding elections, they said.
Operators
said that investors were thinking that BNP’s participation might ease the
political situation while their boycott of the election might result in
extension of the political unrest.
Investors
on Sunday went for heavy buying of shares as the main opposition did not
declare any strike on Saturday breaking last three months’ trend of their
movement.
The
market was on the decline for last three months as the BNP-led alliance since
January 5, the first anniversary of the one-sided elections, continued to
enforce strikes except the weekly holidays supplementing countrywide nonstop
blockade.
DS30,
the blue-chip index of the bourse, declined at 1,717.48 points, adding 1.17 per
cent or 20.39 points on Monday.
The
Shariah index of DSE, DSES, closed at 1,096.69 points, slipping by 1.30 per
cent or 14.54 points.
Turnover
of DSE declined to Tk 314.93 crore on Monday compared with that of Tk 393 crore
in the previous trading session.
Of
the 306 shares and mutual funds traded on the day, 76 advanced, 198 declined
and 32 remained unchanged.
Grameenphone
led the turnover chart on the day as its shares worth Tk 28.54 crore changed
hands.
ACI
Limited, Shasha Denims, Lafarge Surma Cement, IFAD Autos, MJL Bangladesh,
Pharma Aids, Western Marine Shipyard, Square Pharmaceuticals and ACI
Formulations were among other turnover leaders.
Pharma
Aids gained the most with a 7.46-per cent increase in its share prices, while
One Bank was the worst loser, shedding 18.59 per cent. (Source: New Age, March
31, 2015)