In 2023, the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) experienced a 39.83% contraction in turnover, following a 34% decline in 2022. The average daily turnover plummeted from Tk960 crore in 2022 to Tk578 crore. Dormant stock prices at the floor level restricted trading opportunities, with investors relying more on block market transactions, constituting 10% of turnover.
Daily shares traded dropped from over 20 crore to 11.8 crore. The DS30 index fell by 4.6%, while DSEX and DSES inched up. The food, general insurance, pharmaceuticals, life insurance, and IT sectors contributed significantly to turnover. Despite frustrations over regulatory floor prices imposed for small investors’ capital protection, the market suffered due to global events. In contrast, the India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka indices closed higher in 2023.