Stocks post modest gains at opening

Equity indices of the stock exchanges witnessed upward shifts during the first one-and-half-hour trading in the first session of the week.

Bourses reported positive gains in the share prices of the textile sector and most of the multinational companies in the opening session.
 
However, the list of banking stocks fell following the central bank announcement that banks will have to keep provision by another 1% on bad loans.

According to a market insider, the net profit of the banks would be reduced for maintaining such provision.

DSEX, the prime index of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) rose by 8 points or 0.15% to 5,102 till 11:30 am.

Moreover, DSE Shariah-based DSES index gained 6.93 points to 1,176 and blue-chip index DS30 gained 11.87 points to 1,787.

Turnover, a major indicator of the market, on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) trading floor advanced 14% to Tk400.95 crore in the corresponding period.

Out of the 347 issues traded during the same time frame, DSE had 136 gainers against 138 losers, while prices of 73 scrips remained unchanged.

Meanwhile, the benchmark index CASPI at the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) climbed 36 points to 14,639.

Of the total 195 issues traded till then, 74 gained, 80 declined, and 41 issues remained unchanged with Tk17.2 crore in turnover.