Dhaka stocks plunge in early trade amid political uncertainty

Dhaka stocks plummeted in early trade today amid a deepening political crisis as student protesters started a non-cooperation movement with the government over the deaths of 200 people and countrywide arrests by police.

The DSEX, the benchmark index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), fell 113 points, or 2.12 percent, one of the biggest losses in recent times, to 5,220 as of 10.45 am today. The market opened at 10 am.

The DS30, the blue-chip index, declined 42 points, or 2.25 percent, to 1,857. The DSE's Shariah-based companies index suffered losses, too.

Turnover bottomed out at Tk 51 crore.

Five companies advanced, 355 declined and 18 remained unchanged on the DSE.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange dipped owing to the downbeat among investors. The Caspi, the broad index of the CSE, fell 104 points, or 0.69 percent to 15,014.