The indices--All Share Price Index, DSE 20 and DSE General Index-- rose by 3.88 points, 4.78 points and 6.32 points to close at 1301.88, 1394.32 and 1589.41.

The turnover in terms of value dropped to Tk 299.359 million yesterday from Tk 324.54 million on Wednesday, the first trading day in the New Year.

Market operators said the ongoing political impasse has been discouraging both institutional investors and general investors for quite a long time. They also said the market will be affected in the long run if the deadlock continues.

The stock market showed a bullish trend with a 78 percent rise in the daily average turnover in the last week of 2006, as there was a possibility of an election to be participated by all major political parties.

But Wednesday's decision to boycott the January 22 elections by the Awami League-led grand alliance halted the turnover rally.

Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB), AB Bank, Dhaka Electric Supply Company Ltd (Desco), AIMS First Mutual Fund, Southeast Bank, City Bank, Prime Bank, IPDC, Standard Bank and Grameen Mutual Fund One were the top ten turnover leaders in terms of value yesterday.

Meanwhile, the subscription of primary shares of Shahjalal Islami Bank Ltd begins January 14. The bank will float 9,358,250 shares.