Market operators have attributed the all time high turnover to big investments by institutional investors including banks and non-banking financial institutions and a huge flow of portfolio investment.

The market operators also hoped the daily turnover on the premier bourse will reach Tk 500 crore by 2010.

"The institutional investors, who are the major market players, are very active. Besides, the portfolio investment is increasing," said Ahmed Rashid Lali, senior vice-president of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE).

Institutional investors' participation on an average accounted for 85 percent of each day's total trade during the last couple of weeks, he said.

Portfolio investment increased 212 percent to US$50 million during the July-March period of the current fiscal year, compared to $16 million during the same period a year earlier, according to Bangladesh Bank statistics.

He however cautioned the investors should invest carefully. They should not be guided by rumours, he added.

Echoing Ahmed Rashid Lali, DSE Chief Executive Officer Dr Salahuddin Ahmed Khan said the market may witness an overpricing situation, if the supply of new stocks cannot be ensured.

"This is a good time to be listed on the bourses and the big companies may also consider it a right time," he said, adding that the government should also immediately implement its decision to offload the shares of state-run enterprises.

Along with turnover, market capitalisation also stood at all time high at Tk 44,119 crore, surpassing the previous high of Tk 44,088 crore on May 31.

The price indices also rose on the DSE led by shares of power, bank and pharmaceuticals sectors. The benchmark DSE General Index increased by 3.46 points, or 0.17 percent, to close at 2007.06 points while the DSE All Share Price Index rose by 1.43 points, or 0.08 percent, ending the day at 1659.79 points.

Of the issues traded, 88 advanced, 79 declined and 25 remained unchanged. A total of 11,391,943 shares changed hands.

At the end of the day, Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) topped the turnover leaders followed by Brac Bank, Prime Bank, Southeast Bank, Square Pharma, Summit Power, Premier Bank, Dhaka Electric Supply Company, Pubali Bank and Exim Bank.

PGCB, the state-run power company, topped the turnover leaders with 454,850 shares worth Tk 27.97 crore.