Stocks returned to the black last week with sharp gain in index amid investors' increased confidence.

DSEX, the benchmark general index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange, closed the week at 4,270.43 points, after edging up 2.92 percent or 121.26 points.

The week featured four trading sessions like the previous week as trading remained suspended on Monday on account of bank holiday. Two of the sessions gained sharply while the rest saw mild correction.

"Participation started to rebound in the last week over investors' increased confidence as the investors were relieved over the generalised system of preferences (GSP) concern in Europe," commented IDLC Investments in its weekly market analysis.

The week observed the impact of investors' response over different issues relating to capital market like GSP, foreign portfolio investments and other macroeconomic issues, the investment banker said.

Over the week, repositioning and fresh positioning among the fundamentally strong scrips as well as profit booking were widely observed, according to IDLC investments.

The increased turnover in the week indicates strength of positive movement, stated LankaBangla Securities in its analysis.

"After the fiscal year ending, investors seemed to try recovering their lost position during last week."

Daily average turnover advanced 17.12 percent toTk 762 crore than the previous day.

Gainers took a strong lead over the losers as out of294 issues traded during the week at DSE, 226 advanced, 60 declined and eight remained unchanged.

All the major sectors posted hefty gains except banks, as the heavyweight sector continued its losing streak with a loss of 1.36 percent.

Non-bank financial institutions rose 5.45 percent, pharma 4.51 percent and power 4.40 percent. The power sector accounted for the highest turnover on 24.71 percent ofthe total turnover.

Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company featured in the most traded stocks chart with 56.58 lakh shares worth Tk 144 crore changing hands.

JMI Syringes and Medical Devices was the week's highest gainer, posting a rise of 45.87 percent, while Samata Leather Complex was the worst loser, plunging by 10.87 percent.