DHAKA, August 18, 2026 (BSS) — Stocks today extended its losing streak as prevailing investor concerns over the market’s near-term outlook overshadowed morning optimism following much-awaited clarity on the amended margin rules.

Rumours of potential stringent measures further heightened caution among investors, triggering broad-based selling in the latter half of the trading session.

The DSEX, the broad index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), fell 40.6 points to settle at 5,774 points, compared with 5,814 points in the previous trading session.

The market opened on a positive note amid optimism over the gazette notification of the amended margin rules, with the upbeat sentiment prevailing through the mid-session. However, selling pressure intensified in the latter part of the session as growing investor anxiety prompted liquidation and panic selling across the trading board.

Despite the sharp fall in the broad index, market turnover remained unchanged, edging up 0.3 percent to Tk 9.9 billion from Tk 9.9 billion in the previous session.

Textile stocks accounted for the highest share of turnover at 20.9 percent, followed by general insurance at 13.9 percent and Engineering at 12.1 percent.

Almost all sectors posted negative returns. General insurance suffered the highest correction of 3.4 percent, followed by cement at 1.6 percent and paper at 1.3 percent. Service was the only sector to post a positive return, gaining 0.8 percent.

Of the 395 issues traded, 75 advanced, 262 declined and 58 remained unchanged, reflecting broad-based weakness across the market.

The port city bourse, Chattogram Stock Exchange (CSE), also closed in negative territory. Its Selective Categories' Index (CSCX) declined by 66.9 points, while the All Share Price Index (CASPI) fell 110.7 points.