DHAKA, March 31, 2026 (BSS) – Stocks today extended losing streak for a third consecutive session, as the ongoing Middle East crisis continued to dampen investor sentiment, triggering a broad-based sell-off across the market. 

DSEX, the broad index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), declined by 52.5 points to settle at 5,178 points as against 5,231 points in the previous trading session. 

Market indices remained on a downward trajectory throughout the session, pressured by widespread selling across most stocks. Meanwhile, risk-averse investors rotated out of large-cap counters, and selectively positioning themselves in momentum-driven speculative scrips in search of short-term gains. 

However, market turnover increased by 3.3% to Taka 6.9 billion from Taka 6.6 billion in the previous session.

On the sectoral front, Pharma (15.6%) accounted for the highest share of turnover, followed by Engineering (13.3%) and Bank (12.2%) sectors. Almost all the sectors displayed negative returns, Mutual Fund (-2.6%), Ceramic (-2.4%), Cement (-2.0%) exhibited the most corrections returns while only General Insurance (0.3%) exhibited some positive returns on the bourse today.

Of the 397 issues traded, 77 advanced, 276 declined, and 43 remained unchanged.

The port city bourse, CSE, also settled on a negative territory. The Selective Categories' Index (CSCX) and All Share Price Index (CASPI) declined by 118.2 points and 205.5 points, respectively.