Stocks continued to gain for a third day, with the highest turnover since July 31 last year, as institutional and small investors are injecting fresh funds into the market amid optimism. Turnover rose 26.7 percent to Tk 1,079 crore from the previous day.

The benchmark General Index of Dhaka Stock Exchange crossed 5,300 points for the first time since January 8.

The gauge of the Dhaka bourse finished the week at 5,343.59 points, after gaining 116.98 points or 2.24 percent, according to DSE data.

“The day's surge in activity was largely a continuation of the last few days' upbeat market sentiment,” IDLC Investments said in its daily market analysis.

Investors actively invested fresh funds in the fuel and power sector, non-bank financial institutions, banks and engineering demonstrated significant improvements in daily turnover, the stockbroker said.

“Investors have high hopes centred around this market as their confidence grows,” Green Delta Securities said in its daily market analysis.

The week had a good run as retail investors were actively participating, and nullifying almost all of the selling pressures, Green Delta said.

Of the total 263 issues that traded on the DSE, 182 advanced, 69 declined and 12 remained unchanged.

A total of 2.17 lakh trades were executed with 16.93 crore shares and mutual fund units changing hands on the Dhaka bourse.

All major sectors went green, with engineering going up 4.40 percent, followed by non-bank financial institutions 3.95 percent, telecomm 3.83 percent, pharmaceuticals 3.82 percent, life insurance 3.64 percent and fuel and power 2.85 percent.

Grameenphone, which represents the telecoms sector, topped the turnover leaders with 23.89 lakh shares worth Tk 51.37 crore changing hands.

First Bangladesh Shilpa Rin Sangstha Mutual Fund was the biggest gainer of the day as it rose 9.98 percent. The biggest loser was Bay Leasing and Investment that slumped 10.48 percent.

The Daily Star/Bangladesh/ 15th April 2012