DHAKA, Feb 17, 2026 (BSS) - Country's both bourses, Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) today plunged as investors preferred to realize gains from the recent election-driven rally and remain watchful of the emerging developments on the political front. 

DSEX, the broad index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), shed by 19.0 points to settle at 5,571 points, as against 5,590 points in the previous trading session. 

The market observed see-saw trading activity throughout the session amid a tussle between buyers and sellers, since opportunistic investors opted to take advantage of the prevailing risk aversion sentiment and continued their accumulation of the momentum-driven stocks. 

However, late-session profit-taking gained dominance, particularly in major large-cap scrip, ultimately dragging market indices into negative territory again. 

Meanwhile, market turnover remains resilient above the TK 10 billion-mark, while slightly decreasing by 2.8% to TK 12.2 billion from TK 12.6 billion in the previous session. 

On the sectoral front, Bank (18.4%) issues exerted the highest turnover, followed by Pharma (17.9%) and General Insurance (10.6%) sectors. Sectors displayed mixed returns, out of which Ceramic (1.8%), Jute (1.1%) and Services (0.9%) exhibited the most positive returns, while Mutual Fund (-2.1%), Bank (-1.2%) and General Insurance (-1.1%) exerted the most corrections on the bourse today. 

Out of 397 issues traded, 129 advanced, 231 declined and 37 remained unchanged.

The port city bourse, CSE, also settled on a negative zone. The Selective Categories' Index (CSCX) and All Share Price Index (CASPI) declined by 14.6 points and 13.3 points, respectively.