Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- The week started with the major US indexes falling more than 2 percent, making it the worst week since March for the Dow, and since October for the NASDAQ and S&P 500.

US stocks fell further on Wednesday as fears emerged over political and regulatory developments, after rising on Tuesday on optimism about Ben Bernanke’s second term as chairman of the Federal Reserve.

 Finally on Thursday US stocks rose after the Federal Reserve said it would keep interest rates near zero for an extended period. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 367 points or 3.46 percent while the NASDAQ Composite Index shed off 70 points or 3.05 percent over the week.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei average started the week sliding 2.6 percent to a three-week closing low on Friday. The benchmark Nikkei 225 shed off 277.86 points to 10,590.55, marking its lowest close since December 30, 2009.

Towards the end of the week the index declined further to touch a five-week closing low. The Nikkei 225 index lost 454 points or 4.18 percent over the week to close merely above 10,400 level.

Locally, the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) extended its rally throughout the week, looming 5,400-mark on Thursday. The Dhaka Stock Exchange General Index (DGEN) ended the week with a gain of 295 points or 5.8 percent to close at 5,390.48.

BBN/SS/SI/AD-30January10-10:43 pm (BST)