Price corrections forced stocks to close lower yesterday as investors booked profits in most sectors.

DSEX, the benchmark index of the premier bourse, declined 13.97 points or 0.32 percent, finishing the day at 4,258.2 points.

The market was routed by price corrections after one of the biggest single-day gains on Tuesday, LankaBangla Securities said.

The major sectors showed mixed performances, and the stocks went for a natural correction after a big jump in the benchmark index, the stockbroker said.

However, bargain hunting offered support to the market despite the pullback by lukewarm earnings declaration and mixed industry news.

IDLC Investments, a merchant bank, in its regular analysis said mini-caps and large-caps faced some selling pressure.

Turnover, another important indicator of the market, declined by 1.3 percent to Tk 400.76 crore, with 10.44 crore shares and mutual fund units changing hands on the DSE. Of traded issues, 94 advanced, 198 declined and 26 closed unchanged on the premier bourse.

BSRM dominated the turnover chart with 25.62 lakh shares worth Tk 38.01 crore changing hands, followed by Linde Bangladesh, BSRM Steel, MJL Bangladesh and Beximco Pharma.

The ceramics sector took the highest hit by declining 4.76 percent in market capitalisation among the major sectors, followed by fuel and power that fell 1.49 percent, textile 1 percent, non-bank financial institutions 0.92 percent, telecom 0.91 percent and cement 0.63 percent.

Conversely, engineering and life insurance sectors rose 1.15 percent and 0.59 percent respectively in market capitalisation.

Pragati Life Insurance was the day's best performer with 9.96 percent in gains, while Alltex Industries was the worst loser, shedding 9.43 percent. Chittagong stocks fell with the bourse's benchmark index, CSCX, declining 12.46 points or 0.15 percent to finish the day at 7,969.35 points.

Losers beat gainers as 139 declined and 69 advanced, while 27 finished unchanged on the Chittagong Stock Exchange. The port city bourse traded 1.11 crore shares and mutual fund units worth Tk 25.17 crore in turnover.