Asian stocks rose on Monday following a strong rally in U.S. markets, marking the best day since November’s election, and amid stronger-than-expected factory data from China. Later in the day, Chinese officials were scheduled to brief the media on Beijing's efforts to boost consumer spending. Economists argue that increased consumer spending is essential for reviving the economy, though most have called for broader reforms to build confidence and enhance purchasing power. Bangladesh's leading light engineering firms participate in Comex Singapore 2025 Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 1.3%, reaching 24,276.64, while the Shanghai Composite rose by 0.6% to 3,429.30. China's industrial output increased nearly 6% in the first two months of the year compared to last year, and retail sales grew by 4%. However, there was continued weakness in the property market, with home prices falling and real estate investment down nearly 10% from the previous year. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index rose 1.3% to 37,539.36, while Seoul's Kospi surged 1.7% to 2,608.68. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 added 0.6%, reaching 7,838.20, and Taiwan’s Taiex rose by 0.9%. In contrast, Bangkok’s SET index dropped 0.7%. On Wall Street, U.S. stocks surged on Friday, but the market still ended its fourth consecutive losing week, the longest streak since August. The S&P 500 climbed 2.1%, recovering from a correction, closing at 5,638.94. This followed a sharp decline that began less than a month ago. The last significant rally occurred the day after President Donald Trump's election, when optimism was high about his return to the White House. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.7% to 41,488.19, while the Nasdaq composite gained 2.6% to 17,754.09. Ulta Beauty saw a 13.7% surge after reporting better-than-expected profits for the quarter. The market was further supported by gains in Big Tech and AI-related stocks, which had been under pressure due to concerns that their prices had risen too much in the AI frenzy. Nvidia rose 5.3%, reducing its 2025 losses to under 10%, while Apple increased by 1.8%, cutting its weekly loss that had initially been on track to be its worst since the 2020 COVID-19 crash. Senate actions to avoid a partial U.S. government shutdown also helped ease some market fears. However, the biggest uncertainty remains the escalating trade war, with questions about how much economic pain President Trump is willing to inflict through tariffs and other policies to reshape the country and world. Trump has said he aims to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. and reduce the size of the government workforce. Although stock prices may be near completing their adjustment for tariffs scheduled to begin in April, concerns about the impact of federal spending cuts on the economy are expected to persist. U.S. households and businesses have reported declining confidence due to the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s shifting policies, raising fears that reduced spending could slow economic growth. A preliminary survey by the University of Michigan released on Friday revealed that consumer sentiment had fallen for the third consecutive month, primarily due to concerns about the future, even though the job market and economy remain relatively strong. Gold price increases by Tk 2,613 per bhori in Bangladesh In early Monday trading, U.S. benchmark crude oil increased by 48 cents to $67.66 per barrel, while Brent crude rose 49 cents to $71.07 per barrel. The U.S. dollar gained slightly against the Japanese yen, rising to 148.93 from 148.81, while the euro dropped slightly to $1.0880 from $1.0882.

Leading Bangladeshi light engineering companies have participated in the premier international consumer electronics exhibition, Comex Singapore 2025. The event took place from March 13-16, at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre, Singapore. Bangladesh was represented under the title “Meet Bangladesh” to promote the light engineering sector. The companies from Bangladesh's light engineering sector that attended include Laxfo, Bogura Motors, Lumen, Data Soft Manufacturing, and Triple S Electronics. This "Meet Bangladesh Show" (MBS) was introduced by the Export Competitiveness for Jobs (EC4J) Project under the Ministry of Commerce, financed by the World Bank, to showcase Bangladesh's light engineering sector.

The price of gold in Bangladesh has surged once again, with an increase of Tk 2,613 per bhori. The Bangladesh Jewellers Association (Bajus) has set the new price for 22-carat gold at Tk 153,475 per bhori with effect from Monday. In a statement issued on Sunday, Bajus cited the rising price of pure gold in the local market as the reason for the adjustment. The revised pricing structure will take effect immediately, reflecting the fluctuating global market trends. According to the notification, the sale price of gold must include a mandatory 5 per cent VAT set by the government, along with a minimum 6 per cent labour charge determined by BAJUS. But the final price may vary depending on the design and quality of the jewellery. Earlier, on March 8, Bajus had adjusted gold prices downward, reducing the rate by Tk 1,038 per bhori. At that time, the price of 22-carat gold was fixed at Tk 150,862 per bhori. Gold prices come down slightly in domestic market With this latest revision, the price of gold has been adjusted 14 times so far this year. Of these adjustments, prices have been increased 10 times, while they have been reduced four times. Despite the gold price hike, the price of silver in the local market remains unchanged. Currently, 22-carat silver is being sold at Tk 2,578 per bhori in Bangladesh. The frequent fluctuations in gold prices highlight the volatility of the precious metals market, with local rates closely mirroring international trends. Industry insiders suggest that further adjustments may be necessary depending on global economic conditions and demand-supply dynamics.  

The first trading day of the week witnessed a decline in the Dhaka stock market, while Chattogram experienced a rise in indices on Sunday. While most companies in Dhaka saw a falls in their share prices, the Chattogram market observed an upward trend. On the day, the benchmark DSEX index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) fell by 3 points. The other two indices, the DSES and the blue-chip DS30, dropped by 1 and 6 points, respectively. Out of the 397 companies that traded on the DSE, share prices increased for 143, declined for 190 and remained unchanged for 64 companies. Across three categories, most companies witnessed a decline in share prices. Among the 36 mutual funds traded, the majority remained unchanged, with six gaining value and 12 seeing a drop. DSE, stakeholders vow to work with BSEC to restore investors’ confidence In the block market, shares worth Tk 15.59 crore were traded across 40 companies. Uttara Bank led the market with shares worth Tk 4.88 crore being traded. The total turnover at the DSE for the day amounted to Tk 448 crore. Shinepukur Ceramics Limited topped the gainers’ list, surging by 10 per cent, while Linde Bangladesh Limited experienced the steepest decline, losing 7.87 per cent in value. Chattogram Market Rises In contrast to the DSE, the Chattogram Stock Exchange (CSE) witnessed an increase in its index, gaining 7 points. Alongside the rise in the index, most companies trading in the CSE saw their share prices increase. Out of 181 companies, 87 registered gains, 66 saw a decline, and 28 remained unchanged. On Sunday, total turnover at the CSE stood at Tk 4.70 crore. DSE announces new trading hours for Ramadan Bengal Windsor Thermoplastics Limited led the gainers at the CSE, rising by 10 per cent, while Sonali Paper and Board Mills Limited faced the biggest loss, declining by 9.94 per cent.

The sharp buzz of a chainsaw echoes through the forest as a small group of farmers gathers around a tree bearing red seed pods. With a slow, deliberate stroke, a severed knobby branch falls to the ground. “This will now help the tree grow new fruit,” farmer Tari Santoso says with a smile. Millions of Muslims in Indonesia observe the beginning of holy month of Ramadan Like Santoso, thousands of cocoa farmers across Indonesia are partnering with businesses and other organisations to safeguard their crops from the adverse effects of climate change and underinvestment, which have driven cocoa prices to record highs. Cocoa trees require intensive care, thriving only near the equator where a delicate balance of temperature, humidity, and sunlight is necessary. It takes five years for a tree to begin producing seeds that are processed into cocoa for chocolate and other sweet treats. Climate change poses increasing risks for farmers: Rising temperatures reduce yields, while prolonged rainy seasons encourage the spread of fungus and destructive pests. The growing unpredictability of weather patterns has made it even harder for farmers to cope with these challenges. As a result, some farmers are turning to alternative crops, further decreasing cocoa supplies and driving prices higher. In 2024, prices nearly tripled, soaring to around US$12,000 per ton. This surge has increased chocolate costs and led some manufacturers to explore growing cocoa in laboratories. Indonesia ranks as the world’s third-largest cocoa producer, following Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. To improve their livelihoods and develop better farming methods, farmers are collaborating with businesses and non-governmental organisations. In his shaded forest farm in South Sumatra, located 3 miles (5 kilometres) from a national park where Sumatran tigers and rhinos roam, Santoso partners with Indonesian chocolate maker Krakakoa. Since joining forces with the company in 2016, Santoso has adopted new techniques that have revitalised his cocoa trees. He regularly prunes and grafts new branches onto older trees to encourage growth and prevent disease spread. Additionally, he uses organic fertiliser and integrates agroforestry practices, cultivating bananas, dragon fruit, coffee, and pepper alongside cocoa to foster a healthier ecosystem and diversify his income sources. “It wasn’t very successful before we met Krakakoa,” Santoso said. “But then we received training ... things are much better.” Krakakoa has trained over 1,000 cocoa farmers in Indonesia, providing both guidance and financial support, according to its founder and CEO, Sabrina Mustopo. 6.0-magnitude earthquake jolts off Indonesia's North Sulawesi Santoso and other Sumatra-based farmers say their partnership enabled them to establish a cooperative that offers low-interest loans. Instead of paying interest to banks outside their community, farmers repay it within the cooperative itself. For those requiring larger loans from government-owned banks, working with businesses can be advantageous. The guaranteed buyer agreements serve as collateral, helping farmers secure loan approvals, explained Armin Hari, communications manager at the Cocoa Sustainability Partnership, a public-private forum for cocoa development in Indonesia. Hari noted that numerous businesses, government agencies, NGOs, and cooperatives are supporting cocoa farmers in adapting to climate change, benefiting thousands. He highlighted a collaboration between Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency and the local branch of international chocolate maker Mars, which has introduced a new cocoa variety that yields more pods per tree. However, challenges persist, said Rajendra Aryal, the FAO’s country director for Indonesia. Fewer people view cocoa farming as a profitable venture, leading them to cultivate alternative crops like palm oil. Additionally, many small-scale farmers still struggle to obtain loans, he noted. Despite these difficulties, Aryal remains hopeful that continued collaboration between farmers and stakeholders will provide solutions. “If we can address the key issues these (farmers) are facing ... I believe this sector could once again become highly appealing to farmers,” he said. “Despite the challenges in Indonesia, I see opportunities ahead.”

Ethiopia has earned 1.226 billion U.S. dollars in revenue from coffee exports over the past eight months, the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority (ECTA) said on Friday. Following several reforms taken by the government and pertinent stakeholders to gain the most out of the sector, the East African country exported more than 257,000 tonnes of coffee during the first eight months of the current 2024/2025 Ethiopian fiscal year, the ECTA said in a statement. The authority attributed the growing revenue to the government's reform, which resulted in increased coffee production, productivity, and quality, which in turn gave rise to higher export volumes. Ethiopia is projected to generate 2 billion dollars from coffee exports in the 2024/2025 Ethiopian fiscal year by exporting more than 400,000 tonnes of coffee. USPS partners with DOGE for reforms, plans 10,000 job cuts Regarded as the birthplace of Arabica coffee, Ethiopia earned over 1.4 billion dollars from coffee exports in the previous fiscal year. The ECTA said Saudi Arabia, Germany, and the United States have been the first three major export destinations of Ethiopian coffee during the period, while Belgium, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, and China have taken from fourth to seventh positions.

While small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) maintained a strong position in Dhaka's capital market over the past week, the banking sector faced a significant setback following its previous upward trend. During the last five trading days, the SME index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) surged by 3.58%. The index, which began the week at 970 points, increased by 34 points to close at 1,005 points. Not only the SME sector but also DSE’s main index saw an increase of 21 points by the end of the week. Besides, the selective blue-chip index, DS30, rose by 11 points, while the Shariah-based index gained 4 points. On the other hand, despite several weeks of bullish momentum, the banking sector faced a notable decline. Share prices in the banking sector dropped by 24.37% over the past week. As share prices began to decline, investors reduced their trading activities in the banking sector, resulting in a 25.30% decrease in the sector’s overall trading volume. Out of the 36 listed banks, share prices increased for 15 banks, declined for 16 and remained unchanged for 5. Alongside the banking sector, the financial institutions sector also struggled during the past five trading days. Among the participating financial companies, share prices increased for only 3 firms, fell for 13, and remained unchanged for 7. Mixed trends in stock markets: DSE gains, CSE declines in early trading Although indices saw gains, most companies in the market experienced price declines last week. Against the rise of 176 companies, share prices of 184 companies fell, while 34 companies remained unchanged. After an initial downturn on the first trading day of the week, March 9, investor sell-offs increased during the subsequent upturns. By the last trading day, 13 March, the average daily transaction volume on the Dhaka Stock Exchange stood at Tk 390 crore, compared to Tk 362 crore in the previous week. This represents a 7.78% increase in the average daily transaction volume over the week. The most traded stocks on the DSE last week were Orion Infusion, Beach Hatchery and Lovello. Among them, Orion Infusion topped the list with a 6.12% increase in trading volume. A majority of the top price-gaining stocks were from the B and Z categories, with only three A-category companies making it to the top 10 list. At the end of the weekly trading session, B-category company S Alam Cold Rolled Steels topped the price-gain chart. On the other hand, the biggest loser of the week was A-category company Alif Industries Limited, which saw an 11.47% drop in its share price over the week. Commenting on the dominance of weaker companies in the market, Minhaz Mannan Emon, a director at the DSE, stated that the stock market has yet to return to its normal state. He pointed out that market manipulators continue to take advantage of weak companies, while some investors invest in these stocks in an attempt to recover their losses quickly. As a result, B and Z category companies often dominate the top-performing stock lists. A member of the stock market reform task force, speaking on condition of anonymity, mentioned that reform efforts have already begun, but investor confidence is yet to be fully restored. He noted that once investors regain confidence, liquidity flow in the market will improve. Market analysts believe that the stock market will regain momentum if reputable companies invest in the market and foreign companies operating in Bangladesh launch Initial Public Offerings (IPOs).

U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has announced plans to cut 10,000 jobs and reduce the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) budget by billions, working in collaboration with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The initiative, outlined in a letter to Congress on Thursday, also involves the General Services Administration in an effort to improve efficiency within the agency. DOGE will support USPS in tackling major operational challenges at the $78 billion-a-year organization, which has faced financial struggles in recent years. The agreement aims to streamline operations, including addressing mismanagement of retirement funds, the Workers’ Compensation Program, and various regulatory constraints that the letter describes as hindrances to “normal business practices.” “This initiative aligns with our ongoing reform efforts. While we have achieved significant progress, much more remains to be done,” DeJoy stated in the letter. However, critics argue that the proposed cuts could have severe consequences nationwide. Democratic Representative Gerald Connolly of Virginia, who received the letter, warned that DOGE’s involvement could undermine the Postal Service and push it toward privatization. “This surrender will have devastating effects on Americans—particularly those in rural and remote areas—who depend on USPS for essential services like mail, medication deliveries, and ballots,” Connolly said in a statement. Job cuts in tech sector spread, Microsoft lays off 10,000 USPS, which currently employs around 640,000 workers, plans to implement the job cuts within 30 days through a voluntary early retirement program, according to the letter. Neither USPS nor the Trump administration responded to requests for comment from The Associated Press. The postal agency had previously announced measures to reduce operating costs by more than $3.5 billion annually. In 2021, it eliminated 30,000 positions as part of broader cost-cutting efforts. Amid declining first-class mail volumes, USPS has struggled to remain financially viable while resisting calls for privatization, including proposals from former President Donald Trump to place the service under the Commerce Department’s jurisdiction. Brian L. Renfroe, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, acknowledged the need for solutions to USPS’s challenges but opposed any moves toward privatization. “The Postal Service requires practical, common-sense solutions—not privatization efforts that jeopardize 640,000 jobs, 7.9 million related positions, and the universal mail service that Americans rely on daily,” Renfroe stated. DBS Bank to cut 4,000 jobs as AI replaces human roles DeJoy, a former logistics business owner and Republican donor, was appointed as postmaster general during Trump’s first term in 2020. His tenure has been marked by significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, increased mail-in voting, and efforts to mitigate financial losses through cost-cutting and service reductions. Source: With input from agency

The number of Tk1.0 crore and above has increased by 4,954 in three months, reflecting a regained confidence in the banking system.Banking sector experts say that money outside the banking system has started returning to the bank again. Wall Street edges lower ahead of US inflationAs a result, the number of deposits in the bank has increased. At the same time, the number of bank accounts of the wealthy has also started increasing.According to Bangladesh Bank's latest financial update, the number of accounts of individuals and institutions with more than Tk 1.0 crore and above has increased by 4,954 in three months. Currently, there are a total of 1,22,081 such account holders.According to the Central Bank, the total number of accounts in the banking sector up to December 2024 was 16.32 crore. The total deposit balance in these accounts stood at Tk18,83,711 crore. Stock market trends maintain upward momentum in Dhaka, ChattogramAt the end of September last year, the total number of accounts in the banking sector was 16,2028,155. These accounts had deposits of Tk18,250,33 crore. Accordingly, the number of accounts in the banking sector increased by 12,19,277 in three months. The volume of deposits increased by Tk45628 crore.The report said that at the end of December 2024, the number of bank accounts with deposits of more than Tk1.0 crore stood at 1,22,081, which was 1,17,127, three months ago in the September quarter. Bangladesh Bank reconstitutes boards of three private banksAccordingly, the number of accounts above Tk1.0 crore increased by 4954 in three months. Earlier, in the June quarter of last year, there were a total of 1,18,784 accounts deposited Tk 1.0 crore and above.

With anticipation growing over President Donald Trump's upcoming tariff announcements, Wall Street opened lower on Thursday ahead of key inflation and jobless claims data. Futures for the S&P 500 dropped 0.4%, while Dow Jones Industrial Average futures declined 0.2%. Nasdaq futures also fell, sliding 0.5%. Canada and the EU swiftly retaliate against Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs Intel emerged as one of the biggest gainers overnight, surging more than 11% after appointing semiconductor industry veteran and former board member Lip-Bu Tan as its new CEO. Tan, 65, is set to take on the challenging role next week, over three months after former CEO Pat Gelsinger’s abrupt retirement amid Intel’s ongoing downturn. Conversely, American Eagle Outfitters saw an early decline despite surpassing fourth-quarter sales and profit expectations. The retailer noted that an “uncertain consumer and operating landscape” was dampening demand for the current quarter. Its cautious outlook concerned investors, leading to a 9% drop in shares before the market opened. Uncertainty has dominated recent market trends, with fluctuations occurring each time President Trump announces—or postpones—a new round of tariffs. The market has been unsettled as investors and economists attempt to assess the extent of economic strain Trump is willing to impose through tariffs and other measures. In response to Trump’s tariff decisions, the European Union, Canada, and China have introduced retaliatory tariffs of their own. Even if Trump opts for less aggressive tariffs, the impact may still be significant. The continuous cycle of tariff announcements and reversals has already begun eroding confidence among U.S. consumers and businesses by amplifying uncertainty. This could lead to reduced spending by households and companies, slowing overall economic growth. Asian markets slip despite Wall Street rebound amid trade war uncertainty Some U.S. businesses report that customer behavior has already begun to shift. Later on Thursday, new government data will be released regarding inflation at the wholesale level, along with a report detailing the number of Americans who filed for jobless benefits in the past week. In European markets, Germany’s DAX was down 0.4% by midday, while France’s CAC 40 rose 0.1%. Meanwhile, Britain’s FTSE 100 remained unchanged. Asian markets experienced broad declines as investors monitored developments in Trump’s trade policies. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell 0.6% to 23,462.65, while the Shanghai Composite index slipped 0.4% to 3,358.73. Japan’s Nikkei 225, which initially gained, closed 0.1% lower at 37,790.03. South Korea’s Kospi inched down 0.1% to 2,573.64, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 declined 0.5% to 7,749.10. Elsewhere, Taiwan’s Taiex dropped 1.4%, India’s Sensex slipped 0.1%, and Bangkok’s SET edged up 0.1%.