United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s capital market extended its losing streak over the past week, with market capitalisation on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) shrinking by more than Tk 10,500 crore amid a broad-based decline in share prices. The market opened the week on Sunday with a capitalisation of Tk 6,86,368 crore, which fell to Tk 6,75,866 crore by Thursday, marking a weekly erosion of Tk 10,501 crore. The sharp fall was driven by price declines in the majority of listed companies. Over the week, prices rose for only 32 companies, while 335 saw declines. Prices of 22 companies remained unchanged and 24 companies did not participate in trading. All indices on the DSE dropped by more than 2 percent during the week. The benchmark DSEX index, which started at 4,963 points, closed at 4,831 points. Due to the Victory Day holiday on December 16, trading took place for four sessions, during which the DSEX lost 132 points, or 2.67 percent. Year-on-year, the DSEX has fallen 7.38 percent. At the same time last year, the benchmark index stood at 5,216 points. Among other indices, the blue-chip DS30 lost 43 points; 2.28 percent in a week, while the Shariah-based DSES fell 33 points; 3.25 percent. The SME index, DSMEX, shed 24 points-- 2.77 percent. The average daily turnover also weakened alongside the decline in market capitalisation and indices. Weekly average turnover dropped by more than 7 percent, falling from Tk 417 crore at the beginning of the week to Tk 387 crore by the final session. Out of the DSE’s 21 sectors, only seven recorded price gains, while the rest witnessed declines. The banking sector posted a 6 percent fall, while prices of non-bank financial institutions plunged by nearly 32 percent. Among the two insurance sectors, general insurance gained more than 19 percent, but life insurance suffered a steep 38 percent decline. In addition to general insurance, prices also gained in the ceramic, corporate bond, food, mutual fund, real estate and textile sectors. Sector-wise turnover also deteriorated, with trading volume declining in almost all sectors except life insurance, corporate bonds, mutual funds and textiles. The non-bank financial institution sector saw its turnover fall by an average of about 52%. Top Gainers Of the top 10 gainers on the DSE, five were ‘A’ category companies that regularly pay dividends of 10 percent or more, two were ‘B’ category firms, and three were ‘Z’ category companies that do not pay dividends. Most of the top gainers belonged to the mutual fund sector. B-category Bangas Ltd topped the gainers’ list, posting a return of nearly 15 percent over four sessions. Its share price rose from Tk 113.50 to Tk 130.50. Reliance One: The First Scheme of Reliance Insurance Mutual Fund ranked second, gaining 14.71 percent, with unit prices rising from Tk 13.60 to Tk 15.60. CAPM IBBL Islamic Mutual Fund secured the third position, with a return of more than 13 percent, as its unit price climbed from Tk 6.80 to Tk 7.70. Z-category Bangladesh Welding Electrodes Ltd stood fourth, gaining over 8 percent, with its share price rising from Tk 12.20 to Tk 13.20. Union Insurance Company Limited ranked fifth, posting an 8 percent return as its share price increased from Tk 32.50 to Tk 35.10. Top Losers Most of the top losers were Z-category companies, except one A-category and one B-category firm. The top two decliners were both from the sugar industry. Shyampur Sugar Mills Ltd suffered the steepest fall, with its return plunging by nearly 21 percent. Its share prices fell by over Tk 40 within a week. Another Z-category sugar mill, Zeal Bangla Sugar Mills Ltd, ranked second, losing over 17 percent as its share price fell by nearly Tk 30 over four sessions. AFC Agro Biotech Ltd placed third with a decline of around 17 percent, followed by Khan Brothers PP Woven Bag Industries Limited, which fell 16.64 percent. FAS Finance & Investment Limited ranked fifth, shedding more than 16 percent. CSE’s Sharp Fall Like the DSE, the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also witnessed a significant downturn, with all indices falling by more than 1.5 percent over four trading sessions. The overall CASPI index dropped 247 points, or 1.78 percent, while the blue-chip CSE30 lost 217 points, or 1.76 percent. The CSCX index, comprising dividend-paying A and B category companies, fell 148 points, or 1.72 percent. Another blue-chip index, CSE50, declined 19 points, or 1.77 percent, while the Shariah-based CSI lost 17 points, or 2.02 percent. Out of 250 traded companies on the CSE, prices fell for 159, rose for 71 and remained unchanged for 20. Bangas Ltd also topped the gainers’ list on the CSE, followed by GQ Ball Pen Industries Limited. On the losing side, Apex Spinning & Knitting Mills recorded the sharpest fall, shedding more than 19 percent. Its share price dropped from Tk 220 at the start of the week to Tk 177 by the end. Emerald Oil Industries Limited ranked second among the losers, with its share price falling by more than 17 percent, or Tk 3 per share, over the week.      

Bangladesh’s stock markets extended their downward trend on Thursday, the last trading day of the week, with key indices of both the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) closing lower amid thin trading. At the DSE, the benchmark DSEX index shed 22 points at the end of the session. Among the other indices, the Shariah-based DSES gained 8 points, while the blue-chip DS30 rose by 9 points. Market breadth remained negative as prices of 254 companies declined against advances in 69, while shares of 68 companies remained unchanged. Block trades saw shares of 25 companies worth Tk 24 crore change hands, with Mutual Trust Bank (MTB) accounting for the highest turnover of Tk 6 crore. Total turnover on the DSE stood at Tk 303 crore, the lowest of the week, down from Tk 375 crore in the previous session. BD Thai Food & Beverage Limited topped the gainers’ list on the DSE, rising by over 5 percent, while Ratanpur Steel Re-Rolling Mills Limited emerged as the top loser, shedding more than 6 percent. The bearish trend was also evident at the CSE, where the overall CASPI index dropped 69 points. Out of the traded issues, prices of 76 companies declined, while 36 advanced and 23 remained unchanged. The turnover at the CSE stood at Tk 4.50 crore during the session, down from Tk 5.80 crore in the previous trading day. Doreen Power Generations and Systems Limited topped the CSE gainers with a rise of over 9 percent, while Sena Insurance PLC hit the bottom, losing 10 percent.

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) on Thursday appointed Nuzhat Anwar as the Managing Director of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE). DSE Board Chairman Mominul Islam welcomed the decision, saying, “We are pleased to receive BSEC’s approval for Nuzhat’s appointment. After a rigorous selection process over the past year, we are confident that she is the right leader to drive the transformation of DSE.” Nuzhat brings over 20 years of experience in financial markets, banking and development finance, said a press release. She most recently served at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, holding senior leadership roles across Africa and South Asia. DSE launches Help Desk to improve investor information services Her roles included Resident Representative for Liberia and Sierra Leone, Senior Country Officer for Bangladesh covering Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal, and Acting Cluster Manager during the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier, she helped establish IFC’s presence in Botswana and Namibia, facilitating the institution’s first investment in Botswana and promoting sustainable investment programmes. She also spent 16 years with Citibank Bangladesh and Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh in senior management positions.  

Bangladesh’s capital market failed to recover from the ongoing downturn as indices at both the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) declined for another day. At the close of trading, the DSE’s benchmark index DSEX shed 36 points. The Shariah-based DSES and the blue-chip DS30 index also fell by 7 points each. Most of the traded companies ended in the red, with prices falling for 299 companies, while 48 advanced and 43 remained unchanged. In the block market, shares worth Tk 22 crore of 24 companies were traded, with Fine Foods topping the list by trading shares worth Tk 9 crore. The turnover at the DSE declined to Tk 375 crore, down from Tk 413 crore in the previous session. Dominage Steel Building Systems Limited topped the gainers’ chart, rising more than 5 percent, while AFC Agro Biotech Ltd suffered the highest loss, shedding over 9 percent. The CSE mirrored the DSE’s performance as its overall index CASPI dropped 76 points. DSEX falls, CSE gains in Bangladesh capital market Of the traded issues, prices fell for 103 companies, rose for 41, and remained unchanged for 16. The turnover at the port city bourse edged up slightly to Tk 5.8 crore, compared to Tk 5.1 crore a day earlier. EXIM Bank 1st Mutual Fund topped the gainers at the CSE with a 10 percent rise, while Pacific Denims Limited ended at the bottom, losing 10 percent.  

Bangladesh’s capital markets extended their downtrend for a second consecutive day on Monday, with key indices falling, most shares losing value and overall turnover declining at both bourses. At the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the benchmark DSEX index shed 42 points by the close of trading. The Shariah-based DSES fell 11 points, while the blue-chip DS30 index lost 14 points. Most listed companies ended in the red, as 292 issues declined against gains by a limited number of stocks, while 48 issues remained unchanged. In the block market, shares of 27 companies worth Tk 20 crore were traded, with Fine Foods alone accounting for Tk 10 crore. The turnover at the DSE also dropped, with shares and units worth Tk 413 crore changing hands during the session, down from Tk 457 crore in the previous trading day. Union Insurance Company Limited topped the gainers’ list with its share price rising more than 9 percent, while AFC Agro Biotech Limited emerged as the top loser, shedding over 8 percent. The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also witnessed a decline, with its overall CASPI index falling 76 points. On the port city bourse, prices of most companies declined as 98 issues fell, while 47 advanced and 17 remained unchanged. The turnover at the CSE dropped sharply to Tk 5 crore on Monday from Tk 12 crore on Sunday. Queen South Textile Mills Limited topped the gainers’ chart at the CSE with a rise of more than 9 percent, while Maksons Spinning Mills Limited hit the bottom of the list after losing over 16 percent.  

Bangladesh’s stock market began the week on a bearish note on Sunday, with key indices falling on both the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE), as prices declined for the majority of listed companies. On the DSE, the benchmark DSEX shed 30 points, while the Shariah-based DSES fell by 6 points and the blue-chip index DS30 dropped 11 points. Out of the traded issues, prices declined for 249 companies, advanced for 79 and remained unchanged for 63. Block market transactions amounted to Tk 16.50 crore involving shares of 29 companies, with Orion Infusion Limited accounting for the highest turnover at Tk 3.90 crore. The total turnover on the DSE stood at Tk 457 crore, down from Tk 463 crore in the previous session. Prime Finance First Mutual Fund topped the gainers’ list with a 10 percent rise, while Zeal Bangla Sugar Mills Ltd was the worst performer, losing nearly 10 percent. The CSE also witnessed a downturn as its overall index CASPI lost 25 points. Of the traded issues, prices fell for 80 companies, rose for 74 and remained unchanged for 19. The turnover on the CSE stood at Tk 12 crore, compared to Tk 13 crore in the previous session. SK Trims and Industries Ltd emerged as the top gainer on the CSE with a 10 percent rise, while Usmania Glass Sheet Factory Ltd ended as the top loser, shedding nearly 10 percent.

The country’s capital market saw mixed movements on Wednesday as the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) ended lower while the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) posted gains. At DSE, the benchmark DSEX fell 21 points, while the Shariah-based DS30 and selected blue-chip index DS30 declined by 7 and 8 points respectively. Most companies saw their share prices drop, with 227 companies posting losses, 114 recording gains, and 53 remaining unchanged. In the block market, shares worth Tk 51 crore of 42 companies changed hands, with Paramount Textile PLC leading at Tk 20 crore. The market turnover rose to Tk 533 crore from Tk 458 crore in the previous session. Trust Islami Life Insurance Limited topped the gainers list with nearly 10% increase, while Familitex (BD) Limited was the biggest loser with more than 8% decline. Meanwhile, CSE's index CASPI rose 53 points, supported by price increases in the majority of listed companies. Out of the total, 84 companies saw their share prices rise, 68 fell and 26 remained unchanged. The total turnover stood at Tk 9 crore, down from Tk 15 crore the previous day. Bangas Limited led the gainers with a 10% rise, and Eastern Insurance Company Limited was the top loser, losing over 8%.

Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) opened the week with a decline in key indices as most listed companies saw their share prices fall on Sunday. The DSEX, the benchmark index of the DSE, gained in the first hour of trading but slipped as the day progressed, eventually closing 13 points lower. The Shariah-based DSES dropped 3 points, while the blue-chip DS30 shed 5 points. A total of 209 issues declined, 110 advanced and 68 remained unchanged. Block market transactions amounted to Tk 13 crore across 29 companies, with Fine Foods topping the board by selling shares worth Tk 6 crore. The total turnover at the DSE stood at Tk 267 crore, down from Tk 364 crore in the previous trading session. Summit Alliance Port Ltd led the day’s gainers with a 7.5% rise, while FAS Finance & Investment Ltd fell the most, dropping 10%. At the CSE, the CASPI index remained in negative territory throughout the session and closed 62 points lower. Of the traded issues, 99 declined, 37 advanced and 18 remained unchanged. The turnover at the port-city bourse reached Tk 13.95 crore, slightly higher than the previous session’s Tk 13.81 crore. Chartered Life Insurance PLC topped the CSE gainers with a nearly 10% rise, while Premier Leasing & Finance Ltd hit the bottom with a 10% fall.

The Dhaka Stock Exchange and the Chittagong Stock Exchange began the first trading hour on Monday with a downward trend, as the share prices of most listed companies declined. At the DSE, the benchmark DSEX index fell by 29 points, while the Shariah-based DSES dropped 5 points and the blue-chip DS30 index slipped 10 points. Market breadth remained negative, with prices falling for 254 companies against gains in only 71, while 56 issues remained unchanged. More than Tk 210 crore worth of shares and units were traded during the first half of the session. Bangladesh Capital Market: Stocks slip at DSE, CSE as indices fall The downtrend persisted at the CSE as well, where the overall index lost 13 points. Prices declined for 65 companies compared to gains in 36, while 9 issues stayed unchanged. The turnover at the bourse stood at Tk 1.40 crore in early trade.  

Trading at the country’s two major bourses opened with a sharp rise on Monday, as most company shares posted gains during the first hour. On the Dhaka Stock Exchange(DSE), the benchmark DSEX advanced by 63 points in early trading. The Shariah-based DSES gained 13 points, while the blue-chip DS30 index rose by 21 points. Of the 337 companies that traded during the opening hour, prices increased for the majority — with 337 issues advancing, 30 declining and 22 remaining unchanged. The turnover crossed Tk 300 crore within the first hour. The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also began the day on a positive note, with its all-share price index climbing 69 points. Stocks open lower at DSE, CSE as market extends downtrend Among 121 traded companies, 95 saw price gains, 18 declined and 8 remained unchanged. The turnover at the CSE exceeded Tk 9 crore in the first hour. Both bourses reflected strong investor participation at the start of the week’s second trading day.