United News of Bangladesh

The stock markets in Dhaka and Chattogram struggled to gain momentum on Monday, as turnover and most company prices slipped despite an upturn in key indices. At the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the benchmark DSEX index gained 6 points, while the blue-chip DS30 index advanced 5 points. The Shariah-based DSES index, however, remained unchanged. Out of 402 issues traded, prices fell for 199 companies, rose for 117, and remained unchanged for 86. In all three categories — A, B, and Z — most issues ended lower. Notably, among the highest dividend-paying A-category firms, prices dropped for 109 companies against gains by 72, while 43 remained unchanged. At the block market, shares of 30 companies worth Tk 43 crore changed hands, with Khan Brothers leading the turnover at Tk 15 crore. Overall daily turnover at the DSE stood at Tk 706 crore, down from Tk 732 crore in the previous session. Rupali Bank PLC topped the gainers’ list with over 9 percent rise, while Prime Finance and Investment plunged more than 7 percent to end as the day’s worst loser. The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also closed higher, with its CASPI index edging up by 6 points. But most issues declined at the port city bourse as well. Of the 219 companies traded, 116 lost prices, 70 advanced, and 33 remained unchanged. The turnover at the CSE dropped sharply to Tk 8.5 crore from Tk 12 crore in the previous session. Dhaka Electric Supply Company Ltd (DESCO) led the gainers’ table with more than 9 percent rise, while Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB) slumped over 10 percent to finish at the bottom.

Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) witnessed a rise in the first hour of trading on Monday, as most companies saw their share prices increase, while Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) indices remained almost flat. On the second working day of the week, DSE’s benchmark index DSEX gained 20 points in the first hour. The Shariah-based index DSES advanced by 4 points, while the blue-chip index DS30 added 10 points. Of the issues traded, the prices of 191 companies advanced, 112 declined and 86 remained unchanged. DSE, CSE start week in red as turnover, prices fall The turnover at the DSE stood at over Tk 223 crore during the first hour. Meanwhile, the overall index of CSE showed no significant change in the early trading session. Out of 74 issues traded, 39 advanced, 25 declined and 10 remained unchanged. The turnover at the port city bourse stood at Tk 1.5 crore in the first hour.

The 10th Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong (Sept 10-11) drew around 6,200 participants from governments, global organisations, businesses and media to celebrate 10 years of progress under the Belt and Road Initiative (B&RI). Jointly hosted by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the flagship event carried the theme “Collaborate for Change – Shape a Shared Future.” In his opening remarks, HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee noted, “Over the past 10 years, more than 45,000 people from over 120 countries and regions have participated in the Summit. Together, they have presented over 2,800 projects along the Belt and Road, shaping a shared vision through collaboration and connectivity, which are the fundamental values of the Belt and Road Initiative.” This year’s summit produced a record 45 memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and commercial agreements between governments and enterprises. Including deals concluded ahead of the summit, their combined value is close to US$1 billion. Highlighting Hong Kong’s role as a key platform for the B&RI, Lee said, “Hong Kong is the ideal Belt and Road hub. As the only world city that converges both the China advantage and the global advantage, Hong Kong stands as the premier gateway for co-operation, bridging people, trade, business, education, culture and values across the region, connecting Asia and the world.” Lee also outlined Hong Kong’s strengths in finance, legal services, competitiveness, connectivity, sustainability, and talent. He noted that under the Belt and Road Scholarship and related schemes, more than 4,000 students from Belt and Road countries pursue higher education in Hong Kong each year. FAA proposes $3.1 million fines for Boeing over safety violations The summit featured thematic sessions on legal services, trade, insurance, architecture, green finance and logistics, aimed at building a greener and more interconnected future. Alongside, Hong Kong is hosting major Belt and Road-linked events such as the Future Investment Initiative PRIORITY Summit, the Saudi Super Cup, and next year’s first global edition of LEAP East, a major Middle Eastern tech expo. Over 20 other activities — spanning business, arts, music, sports and academia — are also taking place, including the “Wonders of Imperial Carpets” exhibition at the Hong Kong Palace Museum and a Belt and Road concert by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra on Sept 27. Source: Agency 

BKash, the largest mobile financial services platform in Bangladesh, and Gulf Exchange, a premier financial services provider in Qatar, have announced a strategic partnership to improve cross-border remittance services for the Bangladeshi community in Qatar. This collaboration will allow Bangladeshi expatriates in Qatar to send money directly to bKash wallets in Bangladesh, providing their families with instant access to funds through bKash’s secure digital network, said a media statement on Sunday. Amount settlement will be channelized through a schedule commercial bank in Bangladesh. The new service offers highly competitive exchange rates, fast transfer times, and a user-friendly experience, making it a convenient and reliable option for users. The agreement was formalized at Gulf Exchange’s headquarters in Doha with senior leadership from both organizations in attendance, including Ahmad Ali Al-Sarraf, chief executive officer, Gulf Exchange and Ali Ahmmed, chief commercial officer, bKash Limited. “This partnership with bKash reinforces our commitment to delivering innovative, customer-centric financial solutions,” said Ahmad Ali Al-Sarraf. “By integrating with bKash’s trusted and far-reaching platform, we can provide our Bangladeshi customers with a faster, more secure, and more convenient way to send money home.” Ali Ahmmed said this collaboration with Gulf Exchange is a key milestone in expanding our global remittance ecosystem. “Our goal is to make financial services simpler and more accessible for the millions of Bangladeshis working abroad. This new remittance channel will ensure their hard-earned money is delivered safely and instantly, supporting their families and contributing to Bangladesh’s economic growth,” he added. This partnership reflects both organisations’ shared commitment to financial inclusion and innovation. It is expected to significantly benefit the large Bangladeshi population living and working in Qatar by offering a secure, reliable, and efficient means of sending money back home.

Dhaka and Chattogram stock markets fell sharply on Sunday, with indices losing early gains as most share prices and turnover declined from the previous session. At the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), trading began on a positive note but the upward trend reversed as the day progressed. Finally, the benchmark DSEX index dropped by 55 points. Among other indices, the Shariah-based DSES declined by 10 points while the blue-chip DS30 shed 22 points. The turnover at the DSE stood at Tk 732 crore, down from Tk 778 crore in the previous session. A total of 398 companies participated in the day’s trading, of which 67 advanced, 275 declined and 56 remained unchanged. Indices up in first hour of trade at DSE, CSE The prices fell across all three categories — A, B and Z — with most losses concentrated in fundamentally strong, dividend-paying companies under the A category. Out of 220 companies in this group, 158 declined, 35 gained and 27 remained unchanged. In the block market, shares worth Tk 95 crore of 25 companies changed hands, with Marico leading the turnover at Tk 23 crore. S Alam Cold Rolled Steels Ltd topped the DSE gainers’ list with a 9% rise, while Social Islami Bank PLC suffered the steepest loss, plunging over 9%. The downtrend was also visible at the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE), where the overall CASPI index slumped by 158 points. Indices edge up at DSE, CSE in early trading Out of 205 issues traded at the CSE, 67 advanced, 120 declined and 18 remained unchanged. The turnover dropped slightly to Tk 12 crore from Tk 12.7 crore in the previous session. Hami Industries PLC topped the gainers with a rise of over 9%, while Republic Insurance Company Ltd led the losers, falling more than 9%.  

Both Dhaka and Chattogram bourses witnessed a rise in indices during the first hour of trading on Sunday, with most companies’ share prices edging higher. On the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the key index, DSEX, advanced by 8 points in the opening hour. Among other indices, the Shariah-based DSES gained 4 points while the blue-chip DS30 went up by 3 points. Dhaka stocks end week lower on sluggish investor participation Of the issues traded, the prices of 161 advanced, 135 declined and 99 remained unchanged. The turnover at the DSE crossed Tk 300 crore during the first hour of trade. Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also saw an upward trend as the overall index gained 20 points. Of the 99 issues traded, 52 advanced, 31 declined and 16 remained unchanged. The turnover at the CSE stood at Tk 5 crore in the first hour.  

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is seeking $3.1 million in fines against Boeing over safety violations, including the January 2024 midair blowout of a door plug panel on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9. The violations occurred between September 2023 and February 2024, the FAA said Friday. In the January incident, a paneled-over exit door, known as a door plug, detached shortly after takeoff from Portland, Oregon. None of the 171 passengers or six crew members were seriously injured, and the pilots safely returned the plane to the airport. A 17-month investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board attributed the incident to lapses in Boeing’s manufacturing and oversight, along with ineffective FAA inspections and audits. The FAA cited hundreds of quality system violations at Boeing’s Renton, Washington, 737 factory and at subcontractor Spirit AeroSystems’ facility in Wichita, Kansas. Read: Boeing fighter jet builders launch strike after rejecting contract offer The regulator also found that a Boeing employee pressured an FAA-authorized Designated Engineering Representative to certify a 737 Max despite non-compliance with safety standards to meet delivery schedules. Boeing has 30 days to respond and said it is reviewing the proposed penalty, emphasizing safety and quality improvements implemented under FAA oversight last year. The 737 Max, Boeing’s bestselling jet, has faced persistent scrutiny following crashes in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people. Source: Agency 

Dhaka stocks wrapped up the week lower, as all key indices and market turnover retreated on muted investor activity. The DSEX, the broad index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), dropped by 90 points over the week. Starting at 5,614 points, it closed at 5,523 on the last trading day. The Shariah-based DSES shed 33 points while the blue-chip DS30 index lost 31 points, representing weekly declines of 2.74% and 1.45% respectively. Average daily turnover on the DSE also slid by more than 11%, falling to Tk 1,149 crore from Tk 1,298 crore in the previous week. Market breadth was largely negative as 260 issues declined against 102 gainers, with 35 remaining unchanged. Indices edge up at DSE, CSE in early trading Of the 21 sectors traded on the DSE, nine posted gains while the rest ended lower. Banking stocks dragged the market the most, with prices of over 35% of the sector’s shares dropping. Out of 36 listed banks, 33 declined, only one advanced, and two remained unchanged. By contrast, non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) and insurers performed relatively well. The NBFI sector saw 38% of its stocks advance, general insurance gained 1%, and life insurance recorded price appreciation in 22% of its issues. The week’s most traded stocks were Robi, Khan Brothers, Orion Infusion, BRAC Bank and Trust Islami Life Insurance. In terms of weekly performance, CAPM BDBL Mutual Fund topped the gainers’ list with a return of 24%, while Trust Islami Life Insurance led the losers’ table, falling 20%. The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) mirrored DSE’s downtrend. Its broad index CASPI lost 183 points at the end of the week. Out of 328 companies traded on the CSE, 113 advanced, 197 declined and 18 remained unchanged. Himadri Limited topped the weekly gainers, while People’s Leasing and Financial Services ended at the bottom. Lovello Ice Cream emerged as the most traded stock on the port city bourse.

Stocks tumbled again on Wednesday in both Dhaka and Chittagong bourses, as indices witnessed a steep fall with most companies losing prices and overall turnover declining. After struggling to recover from Tuesday’s big shock, the markets faced another round of sell pressure. Despite starting the day on a positive note, indices slipped into the red as trading slowed in the afternoon and selling pressure mounted, leading to a fresh setback by the closing bell. At the end of the day’s trading, the key index of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), DSEX, dropped by 65 points, while the Shariah-based DSES shed 15 points and the blue-chip DS30 index lost 22 points. All three indices of the DSE fell by over 1 percent compared to the previous session. Out of 397 issues traded, prices declined for 313, advanced for only 43, while 41 remained unchanged. Category-wise, A, B, and Z-category stocks all faced downward pressure. In the A-category, which comprises the top dividend-paying firms, prices rose for just 20 companies, while 176 declined and 23 remained unchanged. In block transactions, shares of 45 companies worth Tk 38 crore changed hands, with Orion Infusion leading the segment with Tk 12 crore in turnover. The turnover on the DSE dipped below Tk 1,000 crore after nine consecutive sessions, closing at Tk 949 crore, compared to Tk 1,177 crore in the previous session. Tamijuddin Textile Mills PLC emerged as the top gainer, soaring nearly 10 percent, while Trust Islami Life Insurance sank over 9 percent as the day’s worst loser. The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also faced a similar blow, with its overall index declining by 143 points. Of the 250 issues traded, 176 declined, 46 advanced and 28 remained unchanged. Unlike the DSE, the turnover increased at the port city bourse, reaching Tk 24 crore against Tk 19 crore in the previous session. Tamijuddin Textile Mills PLC also topped the gainers’ chart in CSE with a 10 percent rise, while Index Agro Industries Limited hit the bottom, losing over 9 percent.

Stocks at both Dhaka and Chattogram bourses edged higher in the early hours of Wednesday’s trading, supported by gains in a majority of company shares. At the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the benchmark index DSEX advanced 8 points within the first hour of trade. The Shariah-based index DSES added 2 points, while the blue-chip index DS30 remained almost flat. Out of the traded issues, prices increased for 162 companies, declined for 149 and remained unchanged for 81. DSE ends lower, CSE higher after volatile trading The turnover at the DSE exceeded Tk 400 crore during the opening hour. The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also mirrored the upward trend as its overall index gained 44 points. Of the 139 issues traded, 56 advanced, 62 declined and 21 remained unchanged. The turnover at the CSE stood at around Tk 3 crore in the same period.