Dhaka stocks continued its losing streak for the second consecutive day on the back of investors' selling spree upon anticipation of a contractionary monetary policy.

Investors fear that the new policy will interrupt the money flow into the stockmarket, said a senior executive of a merchant bank. Yesterday, the prime index came down to less than 6,100 -- the lowest in two months.

DSEX, the benchmark general index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange, lost 60 points or nearly 1 percent to close at 6,057 yesterday. However, the market turnover increased 23.79 percent to Tk 406 crore.

The day started on a positive note but went on a freefall amid the broad sell-off pressure, UCB Capital Management said in its daily market analysis. Banking equities led the turnover by contributing 22.90 percent of the total turnover. All major sectors witnessed moderate correction. Grameenphone was the highest traded stock with its turnover of Tk 39.50 crore, followed by Square Pharma, Ifad Autos, Mercantile Bank and National Tubes.

Of the total stocks, 40 gained, 256 declined and 40 remained unchanged. DS30 and DSES were 17.64 points and 7.94 points in the red respectively. The port city bourse, the Chittagong Stock Exchange, also closed at a lower level, with its CSE All Share Price Index losing 168 points to close at 18,723. The Selective Categories Index shed 101 points to close at 11,308 points.

Losers beat gainers as 165 issues closed lower, 34 closed higher and 33 remained unchanged at the CSE. The daily turnover at the port city bourse was Tk 17.7 crore.