Stocks downbeat as nationwide shutdown begins

Bangladesh's stock market trading opened on a subdued note amid a countywide shutdown enforced by student protest leaders.

The DSEX, the benchmark index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), dropped 42.33 points, or 0.77 percent, to 5,440.81 as of 11.37 am. Turnover of the market stood at Tk 141 crore.

Among the traded stocks, 31 advanced, 310 declined and 43 remained the same.

The same trend was witnessed on the port city's stock exchange too. The broad index of the Chittagong Stock Exchange fell 72 points, or 0.46 percent, to 15,545.

Student protesters are demanding an end to a quota system that reserves up to 30 percent of government jobs for family members of freedom fighters. They argue that the system is discriminatory and benefits supporters of the ruling party.