Both trading volume and turnover in Dhaka Stock Exchange crashed to a four-month low yesterday, plunging thousands of retail investors into sudden uncertainty.

Compared to the previous session, the turnover fell 19 percent to nearly Tk 503 crore, which is the lowest since June 18 and less than half of the turnover of Tk 1,092 crore recorded on October 11.

The trading volume has also gone down to only 14.08 crore, the lowest since June 13.

Merchant bankers and stockbrokers said many investors were inactive and remained on the sidelines to safeguard their position.

The market, however, ended flat with the DSEX—the benchmark index of the DSE—advancing by 4.90 points to 6,013.8. Of the traded issues, 154 advanced, 135 declined and 41 closed unchanged on the premier bourse.

Among the major sectors, food and allied, fuel and power, and bank and non-bank financial institutions posted positive returns. Engineering, telecom, pharma and chemicals declined.

Uttara Bank was the most traded share with a turnover of Tk 27.2 crore. Asia Pacific Insurance was the highest gainer soaring 9.4 percent.

Meanwhile, Square Pharmaceuticals yesterday announced 42.5 percent dividends -- 35 percent cash, 7.5 percent stocks -- for its shareholders for the year that ended on June 30, 2017.