Stocks open week lower on broad-based selling pressure

 
Stocks started the week on a negative note as profit-taking and broad-based selling pressure dragged down share prices, with investor concerns over the proposed amendment to margin rules weighing on sentiment.
The benchmark DSEX index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) fell 44.6 points to close at 5,856, down from 5,900 in the previous session.

Turnover on the DSE declined 4.3 percent to TK 10.7 billion, compared with TK 11.2 billion in the previous trading session, according to BSS report on Sunday. 

The pharmaceutical sector accounted for the largest share of turnover at 14.9 percent, followed by textiles (14.7 percent) and general insurance (12.5 percent).

Among the major sectors, general insurance posted the steepest decline, falling 3.1 percent, followed by jute (-2.0 percent) and life insurance (-1.9 percent). On the positive side, mutual funds gained 1.9 percent, ceramics rose 0.9 percent, and textiles advanced 0.3 percent.

Of the 396 issues traded on the DSE, 97 advanced, 242 declined, and 57 remained unchanged, reflecting the broadly negative market sentiment.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended lower, with the CSCX index falling 61.3 points and the CASPI index losing 66.2 points.