NBFI, engineering losses drag key stock index down

• Dhaka stocks fall third straight session
• NBFIs, engineering sectors drag benchmark lower
• Turnover rises 14 percent despite downturn
• Orion Infusion tops trading; Premier surges

Dhaka stocks closed lower for the third consecutive session today, weighed down by poor performance of non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) and the engineering sector.

The DSEX, the benchmark index of the premier bourse, lost 2.72 points, or 0.05 percent, to close at 5,084.12, according to Dhaka Stock Exchange data.

Other indices witnessed mixed performances: the Shariah-based DSES fell, while the blue-chip DS30 edged higher.

"The market closed in the red. Most of the large-cap sectors posted negative performances," BRAC EPL Stock Brokerage Ltd said in its daily market update.

Turnover, a key gauge of investor activity, rose 14 percent to Tk 451 crore, reflecting stronger investor sentiment despite the market downturn.

Among the major sectors, NBFIs led the sectoral losses, down 0.46 percent, followed by engineering, telecom, food and allied, and pharmaceuticals.

Banking shares gained 0.12 percent, while fuel and power advanced 0.40 percent.

Block trades—representing high-volume transactions involving large numbers of securities—contributed 8.8 percent to the overall market turnover.

Market breadth was negative, with 131 issues advancing against 199 declining, while 66 remained unchanged.

Orion Infusion emerged as the most-traded stock, posting a turnover of Tk 21.4 crore, said BRAC EPL.

Premier Leasing & Finance soared 10 percent to emerge as the day's top gainer, while Nahee Aluminum Composite Panel plunged 8.95 percent, becoming the session's worst performer.