# Middle East Tensions Drive Stock Market Declines Globally

*Market sentiment weakened as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East escalated, leading to a decline in stock prices.*

July 23, 2026 · business

## At a glance

- DSEX index dropped 66.8 points (1.14%) to 5,804 points.
- Market turnover fell 22.5% to Taka 9.4 billion.
- Travel and Leisure sector suffered the steepest decline (-4.4%).

Stocks continued their downward trend as investors grew increasingly cautious due to the heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) saw a significant drop, with the DSEX index falling by 66.8 points, or 1.14 percent, to close at 5,804 points. This decline followed a previous session where the index stood at 5,871 points.

## Market Sentiment Weakens

Selling pressure was evident throughout the trading session as investors adopted a risk-averse approach. The escalating tensions in the Middle East and uncertainties surrounding the margin policy led to broad-based profit-taking. Despite active investor participation, market turnover decreased by 22.5 percent to Taka 9.4 billion, compared to Taka 12.1 billion in the previous session.

## Sector Performance

Among the sectors, Textile had the largest share of turnover at 20.5 percent, followed by Pharmaceuticals (11.7 percent) and Banks (11.3 percent). All major sectors closed in negative territory. The Travel and Leisure sector experienced the steepest decline, losing 4.4 percent, followed by Mutual Funds (-2.8 percent) and Ceramics (-2.5 percent).

## Overall Market Performance

Out of 396 issues traded on the DSE, 57 advanced, 306 declined, and 33 remained unchanged. The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also reflected the bearish sentiment, with the CSCX declining 97.2 points and the CASPI falling 158.1 points.

## Sources

- BSS

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Source: https://pulsetoday.com.bd/en/business/stocks-slump-geopolitical-tensions