Stocks on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) plunged Sunday as growing concerns over the country's prolonged energy crisis triggered widespread selling.
Market operators said persistent gas and electricity shortages were disrupting industrial operations also forcing factory shutdowns and production delays. This raised worries over corporate earnings and profitability, driving investors to sell across the board.
The benchmark DSEX index dropped 103 points, or 1.83 percent to close at 5,558 reversing gains of 64 points made over the previous three sessions. The blue-chip DS30 index fell 26 points to 2,116 while the Shariah-compliant DSES index declined 23 points to 1,115.
Despite the sharp fall, overall trading activity remained subdued. Turnover dropped 24 percent from the previous session to Tk.5.45 billion, suggesting the decline stemmed from broad-based selling rather than heavy trading volume.
Market breadth reflected the negative sentiment with 348 stocks losing value against just 20 gainers while 21 remained unchanged. Sharp Industries was the most actively traded stock, with shares worth Tk.202 million changing hands.
The downturn also hit the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE), where the All Share Price Index (CASPI) fell 171 points to 15,001 and the CSE Selective Categories Index (CSCX) dropped 88 points to 9,176.
