Some 13,59,964 shares and debentures worth Tk 12.89 crore changed hands on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) against 12,49,848 shares valued at Tk 16.38 crore on the last trading day. On the Chittagong bourse a total of 6,60,229 shares and debentures valued at Tk 2.86 crore were traded against 9,75,661 shares valued at Tk 4.38 crore.

Three debuting companies-- Sonar Bangla Insurance, Asia-Pacific Insurance and Daffodil Computers -- also received poor response from investors.

The DSE General Index inched 4.46 points higher to close at 1712.48 points from 1708.01 points. The All Share Price Index marked 4.11 points increase to close at 1305.84 points from 1301.73 points. The DSE-20 Index also gained 1.26 points rise closing at 1603.64 points from 1602.37 points on Monday.

A total of 95 issues were traded. Of which 55 gained, 29 declined and prices of 11 remained unchanged.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also closed higher with the gainers outnumbering losers. The CSE All Shares Price Index increased by 5.87 points to close at 3408.24 points from 3402.37 points.

The CSE-30 Index also increased by 7.54 points to close at 3173.77 points from previous day's 3166.23 points.

CSE Selective Categories Index also marked 1.62 points rise to close at 2349.63 points yesterday from 2348.01 points on previous day.

A total of 72 issues were traded. Of which 43 gained, 27 declined and 2 remained unchanged.

Talking to the Daily Star, DSE Chief Executive Officer Salahuddin Ahmed said although the trading was thin, the gainers outnumbered the losers. "But, companies with big capital base could not gain."