Dhaka stocks open lower

Dhaka, Jan 02 (bdprem.com) – Dhaka stocks opened downbeat Wednesday with banks dominating the trading. The market started off with a slight decline from the previous day's close but recovered after the first hour. It, however, fell sharply after the second hour before gaining in the midday sessions. The benchmark DGEN or general index shed 24.50 points or 0.81 percent to 2984.41 at 12:30pm. The DSI or all share price index was at 2512.14, down 17.51 points or 0.69 percent. Your Ad Here Turnover was at Tk 673.876 million from trading of 3,170,514 shares. Of the traded issues 94 gained, 112 lost and seven issues held steady. AB Bank led the top share board by value at 12:34pm, selling at Tk 2665 from Tuesday's close of Tk 2641.75. Market major Square Pharma rose to Tk 3640 from Tk 3737. IFIC Bank rose on the report of the regulator easing rule to facilitate the government to offload it stakes in the bank. It was selling at Tk 2456 from Tk 2397.50 the previous day. BRAC Bank continued to fall on profit-taking and was trading at Tk 1572 from Tuesday's Tk 1576.25. The Power Grid Company of Bangladesh fell to Tk 656 from Tk 682.25. Among the other scrips on the top share board by value, NBL, Islami Bank Perpetual Bond and Prime Bank lost. Fareast Life Insurance and BOC Bangladesh gained.