Dhaka, Jan. 7 -- The benchmark equity index retreated marginally at the end of the first trading week of 2023 as there is no sign of economic pain ending anytime soon.

Buying activity remained subdued as investors are worried over what the country's economic condition will be in the coming months though remittance and export earnings rose last month, said a leading merchant banker, requesting anonymity.

Investors fear that the performance of listed companies may fall due to a rise in the prices of raw materials and the exchange rate of the US dollar with taka, he said.

"A crisis of confidence still prevails among all investors," he added.

On Wednesday, the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission, at a meeting with stakeholders, ...