DHAKA, May 17, 2026 (BSS) – Stocks today reverted to correction territory as persistent selling pressure on major scrips erased the modest recovery seen over the previous three trading sessions.

The benchmark DSEX of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) fell by 19 points to close at 5,226, down from 5,245 in the previous session.

Although the market showed some resilience during the opening hours, sellers gradually took control, pushing the indices into negative territory and extending the weakness observed at the close of the prior session.

Market turnover also declined significantly, falling 12.9 percent to Taka 8.7 billion from Taka 10 billion in the previous trading session.

On the sectoral front, Pharmaceuticals accounted for the largest share of turnover at 14.5 percent, followed by General Insurance at 14.2 percent and Engineering at 12.7 percent.

Most sectors posted negative returns during the session. Services sector suffered the sharpest decline, losing 2.0 percent, while IT and Life Insurance sectors fell by 1.2 percent and 1.1 percent respectively. In contrast, Financial Institutions gained 4.2 percent, while Jute and Travel sectors posted modest gains of 0.8 percent and 0.5 percent respectively.

Out of the 396 issues traded on the bourse, 117 advanced, 222 declined and 57 remained unchanged.

Meanwhile, the Chittagong Stock Exchange also ended in the red. The Selective Categories’ Index (CSCX) declined by 33.1 points, while the All Share Price Index (CASPI) shed 40.0 points at the close of trading.