Stocks returned to the black yesterday, after breaking an eight-day losing streak, mainly due to heavy buying into small and midcap securities.

DSEX, the benchmark index of Dhaka Stock Exchange, rose 19.53 points or 0.43 percent, finishing the day at 4,560.42 points.

“Investors opted for bargain hunting and took position in scrips that were trading at depressed prices," said IDLC Investments, a merchant bank.

Although most large-cap stocks were under pressure, renewed buying interest in mid- and small-cap stocks in the last trading hour capped the day's loss, LankaBangla Securities said in its regular analysis.

“Market sentiment remained battered as reflected by selling pressure on blue-chip stocks like BATBC, Bata Shoe, GP, Lafarge and other large-cap stocks,' the stockbroker said.

Turnover, another important indicator of the market, slightly declined 0.8 percent to Tk 393.49 crore, with 11.5 crore shares and mutual fund units changing hands on the DSE.

“Market participation remained almost at the same level as the last few sessions," IDLC Investments said. Of the traded issues, 165 advanced, 107 declined, and 48 closed unchanged on the premier bourse.

Appollo Ispat Complex dominated the turnover chart with 1.16 crore shares worth Tk 23.19 crore changing hands, followed by Square Pharma, Fu-Wang Ceramic, The City Bank and Beximco Pharma.

Among the major sectors, engineering increased 1.02 percent in market capitalisation, followed by textile that rose 0.96 percent, fuel and power 0.34 percent, cement 0.28 percent and banks 0.41 percent.

Conversely, food and allied and mutual fund sectors declined 1.46 percent and 0.36 percent respectively.

Apex Spinning and Knitting Mills was the day's best performer with 9.98 percent in gains, while Dacca Dyeing & Manufacturing Company was the worst loser, shedding 9.86 percent.

Chittagong stocks rose with the bourse's benchmark index, CSCX, increasing 33.72 points or 0.39 percent to finish the day at 8,531.38 points. Gainers beat losers as 118 advanced and 87 declined, while 31 finished unchanged on the Chittagong Stock Exchange.