DSE Index Plunges at Start of the Week Amid Middle East Crisis

Within the first twenty minutes of the session, the DSEX—the benchmark index of the DSE—plummeted by 108 points, dropping to 5,132. The blue-chip DS30 index also saw a decline of 44 points, reflecting a broad-based sell-off as investors rushed to liquidate their holdings.

The market's sharp decline is largely attributed to mounting fears over energy and power supply disruptions in Bangladesh. As the conflict in the Middle East intensifies, global energy markets have become increasingly volatile, leading to concerns about the sustainability of oil and gas imports. Of the issues traded in the opening session, 287 stocks declined while only 40 advanced, highlighting the deep-seated caution among both institutional and retail investors who are wary of the war's long-term macroeconomic repercussions.

While the DSE suffered, the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) initially showed a different trend with a slight rise in its index at the opening; however, it quickly followed the national trend, with the majority of its shares also entering negative territory. Market analysts suggest that until there is more clarity regarding regional stability and fuel security, the stock market is likely to remain under intense pressure.