Share prices on the main Bangladesh stock exchange dropped on Thursday as escalating geopolitical conflict in the Middle East caused investors to sell equities and reduce risk.
The DSEX, the broad benchmark index for the Dhaka Stock Exchange, fell 66.8 points, or 1.14 per cent, to close at 5,804 points.
This drop follows a close of 5,871 points in the previous trading session.
Brokers reported persistent selling pressure throughout the trading day as market participants took a cautious approach.
Uncertainty regarding domestic margin loan policies added to concerns about rising geopolitical risks across international energy and trade hubs.
Trading activity slowed noticeably across the exchange.
Total market turnover dropped by 22.5 per cent to 9.4 billion taka, down from 12.1 billion taka recorded on Wednesday.
Textile companies represented the largest share of overall trading volume at 20.5 per cent.
Pharmaceutical firms followed at 11.7 per cent, while commercial banks generated 11.3 per cent of the day's total turnover.
All major industrial sectors closed lower by the end of the session.
The travel and leisure sector experienced the heaviest losses, dropping 4.4 per cent.
Mutual funds fell by 2.8 per cent, while ceramic manufacturers registered a decline of 2.5 per cent.
Out of 396 individual companies traded on the primary exchange, 57 shares recorded gains, 306 fell in value, and 33 remained unchanged.
The Chittagong Stock Exchange mirrored the downturn, with the CSCX index falling by 97.2 points and the broader CASPI index dropping 158.1 points.
