A selling pressure pulled down stocks on the Dhaka bourse yesterday as investors went for profit-taking through sales of mainly banking securities.

The DSEX, the benchmark index of Dhaka Stock Exchange, declined 28.3 points, or 0.49 percent, to finish the first trading day of the week at 5,697.93. Profit-taking mood continued in the market, pushing majority of the traded issues in the red, said IDLC Investments in its analysis.

“As the recent rally gathered its momentum from the banking scrips, selling pressure was stronger in the sector, as many investors opted to book profit,” the merchant bank said. The banking sector, which took the hardest blow, lost 1.2 percent in market capitalisation.

Daily turnover dropped more than a quarter to Tk 777.15 crore, with 24.94 crore shares and mutual fund units changing hands on the DSE.

Of the traded issues, 97 advanced and 189 declined with 39 securities closing unchanged.

LankaBangla Finance dominated the turnover chart with 67.85 lakh shares worth Tk 42.69 crore changing hands, followed by Beximco, ICB, RSRM Steel and AB Bank.

Among the major sectors, non-bank financial institutions gained the most -- 2.11 percent, followed by textile that edged up 0.38 percent. Cement and pharmaceuticals declined 0.89 percent and 0.38 percent respectively.

Premier Leasing & Finance was the day's best performer with 7.4 percent gain, while Padma Life Insurance was the worst loser, shedding 4.46 percent.

Chittagong stocks also fell with the bourse's benchmark index, CSCX, declining 47.3 points or 0.43 percent to finish the day at 10,711.17.

Losers beat gainers as 142 declined and 79 advanced, while 18 finished unchanged on the Chittagong Stock Exchange. The port city bourse traded 2.18 crore shares and mutual fund units worth Tk 68.86 crore.