The stock market experienced its lowest trading volume in four months, with turnover on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) plummeting to just over 200 crore BDT on Sunday. This marks the lowest single-day transaction since the interim government assumed office amid the country’s political transition.

On August 4, the day before the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, trading on the DSE dropped to 207.83 crore BDT, setting a precedent for the ongoing market downturn. Sunday’s session mirrored this slump, signaling persistent volatility and a liquidity crisis.

The decline in trading activity also coincided with a significant fall in share prices across most listed companies, resulting in a sharp drop in market indices. The DSE’s primary index, DSEX, declined by 14 points to settle at 5,181 points, reflecting a continued bearish trend. The DS30 index, comprising the top 30 companies, fell by 3 points to 1,908, while the DSES, the Shariah-compliant index, dipped by 7 points to 1,156.

The trading session began with a widespread drop in share prices, which extended until the closing bell. Despite some late-session recovery in select stocks, the majority of companies recorded losses, with 248 stocks declining against only 87 advancing. Sixty stocks remained unchanged.

On Sunday, total turnover on the DSE amounted to 293.38 crore BDT, down from 335.18 crore BDT on the previous trading day, marking a decrease of 41.8 crore BDT. This drop highlights the liquidity crunch that has plagued the market since the interim government took charge on August 8, following Hasina’s resignation on August 5.

Bangladesh Shipping Corporation topped the turnover chart, with 8.92 crore BDT worth of shares traded. Square Pharmaceuticals and NRB Bank followed with 7.93 crore BDT and 7.49 crore BDT, respectively. Other notable companies in the top 10 turnover list included Genex Infosys, ICB, Golden Son, Fine Foods, Lavello Ice Cream, Asiatic Laboratories, and Dragon Sweater.

In the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE), the CASPI index declined by 42 points. Out of 175 traded companies, 46 saw gains, while 103 recorded losses, and 26 remained unchanged. Total turnover on the CSE increased slightly to 4.65 crore BDT from 3.84 crore BDT on the previous trading day.

The prolonged market downturn and trading volume crisis reflect growing uncertainty among investors, exacerbated by political changes and concerns over economic stability. Despite occasional spikes following the interim government’s initial steps, the market remains fragile, with no clear signs of a recovery in sight.