DHAKA, Feb 19, 2026 (BSS) - Country's both bourses, Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) today plunged further as cautious investors chose to stay on the sidelines, closely monitoring market momentum amid perceived sluggish trading activity during the Ramadan season. 

DSEX, the broad index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange, extended its negative trajectory for four consecutive sessions, declining by 53.2 points or 1.0% to settle at 5,466 points as against 5,519 points in the previous trading session. 

The market observed volatile swings throughout the day, with early fluctuations giving way to intensified broad-based selling pressure in the latter half of the session, dragging most scrips into negative territory. 

Meanwhile, the shortened trading session also caused the market turnover to fall by 40.2% to Taka 5.6 billion from Taka 9.4 billion in the previous session. 

On the sectoral front, Bank (19.4%) issues exerted the highest turnover, followed by Pharma (14.0%) and Textile (10.4%) sectors. 

All the sectors displayed negative returns, out of which Ceramic (-2.7%), General Insurance (-2.3%) and Paper (-2.2%) exerted the most corrections on the bourse today. 

Out of the 397 issues traded, 43 advanced, 309 declined and 45 remained unchanged.

The port city bourse, CSE, also settled on a negative zone. The Selective Categories' Index (CSCX) and All Share Price Index (CASPI) fell by 34.1 points and 79.9 points, respectively.