DHAKA : Stocks retreated today, ending a two-session gaining streak as investors booked profits in recently appreciated shares, outweighing selective buying in fundamentally strong stocks.

The broad index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), DSEX, fell by 21.5 points to close at 5,640 points, down from 5,661 points in the previous trading session.

Market analysts said the bourse remained under selling pressure from the opening bell, with widespread profit-taking gathering pace throughout the day and dragging most listed securities into negative territory.

Turnover on the DSE declined by 16.3 percent to Taka 10.0 billion from Taka 11.9 billion in the previous session, reflecting reduced trading activity.

Among sectors, pharmaceuticals accounted for the highest share of turnover at 13.5 percent, followed by engineering at 12.5 percent and textiles at 11.8 percent.

Most sectors ended lower during the session. Services posted the steepest decline, falling 3.9 percent, followed by miscellaneous stocks at 3.4 percent and general insurance issues at 2.1 percent.

In contrast, telecommunications gained 1.5 percent, while pharmaceuticals and food sectors advanced 0.5 percent and 0.3 percent respectively.

Of the 396 issues traded on the DSE, 65 advanced, 294 declined and 37 remained unchanged, indicating broad-based weakness across the market.

Meanwhile, trading at the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE), Chittagong Stock Exchange also ended in the red.

 The Selective Categories' Index (CSCX) dropped 69.3 points, while the All Share Price Index (CASPI) lost 116.6 points at the close of trading.