Stock investors lost Tk 6,876 crore in the last three days' slump that saw the DSE benchmark index shed more than 147 points or 2.67 percent.

DSEX, the benchmark index of Dhaka Stock Exchange, yesterday slid by 57.69 points, or 1.06 percent, to finish the day at 5,357.54.

Market insiders said investors have been gripped by a fear of political unrest ahead of the upcoming national election.

“Some of the investors have distanced themselves from fresh investments,” said an analyst of a leading brokerage house.

Another expert said the continuous fall of blue chip stocks, which are of the best quality, and rise in junk shares have also made investors disappointed.

The overall situation has dampened investors' sentiment, which is also reflected not only on the index but also on turnover, an important indicator of the stock market.

Turnover declined by nearly 22 percent to Tk 580 crore compared to the previous session.

Now small investors want the state-owned Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB) to step in to stabilise the market. Khulna Power was the most traded stock with 56.89 lakh shares worth Tk 64.88 crore changing hands, followed by United Power Generation, Shasha Denims, Ifad Autos and Active Fine.

Information Services Network was the top gainer with 9.91 percent rise in its price, while Intech Online was the biggest loser, shedding 9.91 percent. Losers outnumbered gainers by 265 to 49, while 23 securities remained unchanged on the DSE.

Meanwhile, DSE in a news posting on its website said Syed Ali Jowher Rizvi, a former director of National Housing Finance, has sold off his entire holdings of 2,884,860 shares in the company at the prevailing market price.

The benchmark index of the port city bourse lost 127 points to close at 9,988.96.