Stocks in Bangladesh returned to the black yesterday thanks to higher investor participation following a one-day halt that broke a four-day gaining streak.

The DSEX, the benchmark index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), edged up 26 points, or 0.40 per cent, to close the trading session at 6,544.

The DS30, a market index that consists of blue-chip companies, inched up 0.72 per cent to 2,343 while the DSES, the Shariah-complaint index, increased 0.59 per cent to 1,430.

Turnover of the DSE was 1 per cent higher at Tk 1,290 crore. Among the tradable stocks, 77 advanced, 772 declined and 180 remained the same.

"Investors are pouring funds on the basis of rumours instead of the potential of listed companies and so, the stocks of many companies with good performance are suffering while stocks that perform poorly are rising constantly," said a top official of a brokerage firm.

Most of the turnover came from low performing companies, meaning investors are investing more in these stocks.

"But investors should be careful when investing in stocks with a history of performing poorly," he added.

Apex Foods topped the gainers list by advancing 8.73 per cent. Meanwhile, Beacon Pharmaceuticals, Bangladesh Monospool Paper Manufacturing, Kohinoor Chemicals Company, and Orion Infusion and also rose by more than 7 per cent.

Keya Cosmetics suffered the highest correction, sliding down 6 per cent, while International Leasing and Financial Services, Bangladesh Welding Electrodes, and Bd Thai Food & Beverage saw declines of more than 4 per cent.

The Dhaka bourse settled in the green trajectory following a modest correction the previous day as optimistic investors are putting fresh bets on the pharmaceuticals and miscellaneous sectors in hopes of a further price surge, International Leasing Securities said in its daily market review.

So, the market witnessed a buying spree since the day began, it added.

Among all sectors, jute rose 3 per cent and pharmaceuticals advanced 1.6 per cent while services dropped 1.9 per cent and cement fell 1.3 per cent.

Investor activity was mostly focused on the pharmaceutical (22.3 per cent), miscellaneous (16.7 per cent) and engineering (14.3 per cent) sectors.

The Caspi, the all-share price index of the Chattogram Stock Exchange, rose 89 points, or 0.46 per cent to end the day at 19,288.

Of the issues that traded at the port city bourse, 56 advanced, 81 declined, and 94 did not show any price movement.