Stocks flip back into positive territory

Stocks flipped back into positive territory on Monday following the regulator`s move to stabilise market extending the time for banks` to lower their capital market investment exposure.

The news about the possible extension got positive response from the investors at the very beginning of the session. A lively activity continued till the end of the day, taking all the price indices at the country`s twin bourses near upper psychological level.

The broader DSEX index of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) recovered by substantial 51.60 points or 1.16 percent to end at 4475.81 when the blue-chip DS30 finished at 1699.35 and the Shariah DSES closed at 1078.40 with marginal gains.

The daily trade value, which hit eight-month low on Sunday, rose by nearly 88.0 percent to Taka 415 crore from Taka 221 crore of the previous session. Similarly, the trade volume was up by nearly 60.0 percent to 10.19 crore shares from Sunday`s 6.39 crore shares.

All the sectors sans food and allied closed higher, with 242 securities gaining on active buying. Investors focused on debutant issues, making all the five newly listed scrips gainers.

Large-cap issues were also on high demand because of the better positioning of a large number of investors. The multi-national companies (MNCs) advanced significantly as foreign investors started buying the shares for future profit booking.

SPCL, Atlas Bangladesh, Alltex, ILFSL and Meghna Cement were the day`s most advancing issues while Ifad Autos, RSRM Steel, CVO Petroleum, PTL and Shympur were the most losing securities among the day`s 55 lagging issues.

Ifad Autos was the day`s top turnover leader followed by Beximco, KDS Accessories, Olympic and Saif Power.

Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also regained on Monday, with its major CSCX advancing by 82.32 points to finish at 8310.85.

Out of the day`s 234 issues traded, 174 gained and 40 incurred losses when trade volume rose to 89 lakh shares and the value to Taka 25.49 crore.