The stock market rose by 5 per cent, or 260 points, over the past five days thanks to buoyancy in investor participation.

The DSEX, the Dhaka Stock Exchange's (DSE) benchmark index, edged up 14.24 points, or 0.26 per cent, to stand at 5,358.28 yesterday.

This occurred despite the downfall of most listed stocks, owing to an upward trend sweeping companies bearing large capital bases.

Of 363 companies to witness trade, 130 advanced, 168 declined and 65 remained unchanged.

Normally the stock market goes skywards when the calendar year's end draws near. This time around, some stocks had also turned lucrative for investment, said stock investor Arifur Rahman who has been involved in the market since 2006.

Furthermore, investors are gaining confidence as the index had made a strong break for the 5,200 level, he said.

Several pharmaceutical companies showcased immense potential for growth as the pandemic continues to linger, so people are investing into those to rake in higher dividends, Rahman added.

In the past few weeks, Beximco Pharmaceuticals and Square Pharmaceuticals reigned supreme in the list of gainers and turnover as their stocks were higher in demand.

Another source of hope was the arrival of some new companies in the past few months, including Robi Axiata, which in turn renewed investor confidence, added the stock broker.

Turnover, an important indicator of the market, rose 2.74 per cent to Tk 1,383 crore yesterday.

Eastern Cables topped the gainers' list rising 9.99 per cent followed by Dominage Steel Building Systems, Crystal Insurance, Intraco Refueling Station and Robi Axiata.

Beximco saw its stocks being traded the most, worth Tk 133 crore, followed by Beximco Pharmaceuticals, IFIC Bank, LankaBangla Finance and BD Finance.

GQ Ball Pen shed the most, losing 7.39 per cent, followed by Eastern Lubricants Blenders and Vanguard AML BD Finance Mutual Fund One.

In turn, banking stocks fell yesterday as investors are apprehending a downing of profits, and subsequently the asset quality, once the year ends for the pandemic, said a stock broker.

Of the listed 30 banking stocks, 26 fell and four remained the same, shows the DSE data.

The fall of banking stocks, along with most of the mutual funds, had somewhat an impact on the index, he said.

Meanwhile, the port city bourse also witnessed a rise. The benchmark index of Chittagong Stock Exchange, the CSCX, rose 40.31 points, or 0.43 per cent, to stand at 9,332.

Of 285 companies to witness trade of their stocks, 106 rose, 117 fell and 62 remained unchanged.