Stocks opened higher on Thursday as investors continued buying selected major shares, although broader sentiment remained cautious amid lingering domestic concerns.
Investors stepped up buying following an assurance from the securities regulator that it would not intervene in the normal course of market trading.
Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) Chairman Masud Khan on Monday said the market would be allowed to move on its own strength and that the regulator would not intervene in its normal course.
He also said the commission would soon take steps to bring public-interest companies to the capital market, further boosting investor confidence.
The prime index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), DSEX, gained 22 points, or 0.38 per cent, to stand at 5,682 at 11:00am, when the report was filed.
The DS30 index, which tracks blue-chip shares, advanced 8 points to 2,133, while the Shariah-based DSES index rose 7 points to 1,142.
Turnover, a key indicator of investors' participation, stood at Tk 2.50 billion till then.
Market breadth remained positive, with 226 issues advancing against 82 declining, while 77 remained unchanged on the DSE.
Malek Spinning emerged as the most-traded stock, with shares worth Tk 250 million changing hands.
The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also opened positive. Its All Share Price Index (CASPI) rose 2 points to 15,188, while the Selective Categories Index (CSCX) gained 3 points to 9,270.
