Trading activity on the Dhaka stock market reached its highest level in nine months on Wednesday (3 June), as shares worth Tk 1,279 crore changed hands on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE). This was the highest daily turnover recorded since 9 September of the previous year, when the market registered transactions amounting to Tk 1,400 crore.
The increase in turnover was accompanied by a broad-based rise in share prices across the market. At the close of trading, the benchmark DSEX index advanced by 35.45 points to finish at 5,441 points, reflecting stronger investor participation during the session.
Earlier this year, the market had experienced a period of heightened activity following news that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) had formed the government after winning the election. On 15, 16 and 17 February, daily turnover exceeded Tk 1,200 crore for three consecutive trading sessions.
After that period, however, turnover remained below the Tk 1,000 crore threshold for an extended period. Up to 22 April, the market did not return to four-digit turnover levels. The closest it came was on 8 April, when trading volume reached approximately Tk 992 crore.
Market activity began to strengthen again following the Eid holiday. On Monday, trading on the DSE exceeded Tk 900 crore. Turnover increased further to Tk 1,080 crore on Tuesday before rising to Tk 1,279 crore on Wednesday.
Prior to the latest surge, the most recent trading session with turnover above Tk 1,000 crore was on 12 May, when shares worth Tk 1,101 crore were traded.
Key Market Statistics
| Indicator | Wednesday’s Figure |
|---|---|
| Total turnover | Tk 1,279 crore |
| DSEX closing level | 5,441 points |
| DSEX gain | 35.45 points |
| Securities traded | 390 |
| Gainers | 243 |
| Losers | 98 |
| Unchanged | 49 |
A total of 390 companies and mutual fund units were traded during the session. Among them, 243 recorded price gains, while 98 declined and 49 remained unchanged. The figures indicate that advancing issues significantly outnumbered declining ones.
According to market data, the engineering, textile, pharmaceutical and chemical sectors made the largest contributions to overall turnover during the day. These sectors accounted for a substantial portion of trading activity and helped drive the market’s overall performance.
In terms of price appreciation, Desh Garments emerged as the top gainer on the DSE based on closing prices. The company’s share price rose by 10 per cent compared with the previous trading day. Due to the circuit breaker mechanism in place, the stock could not increase beyond that limit during the session.
Desh Garments’ shares last traded at Tk 140, up from Tk 128 in the previous session.
Other companies that featured among the leading gainers included Islami Commercial, Genex Infosys and Information Services Limited.
On the losing side, Yakin Polymer recorded the sharpest decline. ICB Islamic Bank and Daffodil Computers were also among the session’s top losers.
The combination of a nine-month high in turnover, a notable rise in the benchmark index and a large number of advancing stocks marked one of the strongest trading sessions on the DSE in recent months.