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DHAKA, April 19, 2026 (BSS) – Stocks today started the week with a fall as investor caution over the market’s momentum has been further reinstated by the recent adjustment in domestic fuel prices amid persistent uncertainties surrounding the ceasefire talks in the Middle East conflict. 

DSEX, the broad index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), declined by 9.3 points or 0.02% to settle at 5,248 points, as against 5,257 points in the previous trading session.

Although the indices held steady through mid-session, the momentum fell short as mounting selling pressure in major large-cap scrips eroded early gains, ultimately pulling the market into negative territory by the session's close.

Nevertheless, market turnover remained resilient, while slightly increasing by 1.6% to Taka  8.2 billion from Taka 8.1 billion in the previous session. 

On the sectoral front, Engineering (18.9%) accounted for the highest share of turnover, followed by Textile (13.6%) and General Insurance (13.3%) sectors. 

Sectors mostly displayed dismal returns, out of which Paper (-1.7%), Travel (-1.5%) and Jute (-1.1%) displayed the most corrections on the bourse today, while General Insurance (2.2%), Textile (0.4%) and Tannery (0.1%) exhibited positive returns. 

Of the 397 issues traded, 123 advanced, 208 declined, and 65 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 5.4 points and 10.0 points, respectively.