United News of Bangladesh

Trading at both the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) remained upbeat on Tuesday, as key indices posted strong gains amid a rise in the majority of listed securities. In the first half of the session, the benchmark DSE Broad Index (DSEX) jumped 64 points. The Shariah-based DSES advanced 12 points, while the blue-chip DS30 index climbed 24 points. Most stocks traded higher at the DSE, with share prices of 282 companies gaining, against 57 decliners, while 48 issues remained unchanged. The turnover at the exchange crossed Tk 400 crore during the first half of trading. The upbeat trend was also visible at the CSE; overall index, CASPI, rose by 88 points in the same period. Read More: Stocks rebound at DSE despite broad price declines At the CSE, the prices of 68 companies moved up, while 28 declined and 15 remained unchanged. The trading volume at the port city bourse exceeded Tk 8 crore in the first half of the session.

U.S. stock markets edged higher on Monday, even as other asset classes saw sharper movements, highlighted by gold prices surging to another record. The S&P 500 gained 0.5%, recovering from losses recorded last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 313 points, or 0.6%, while the Nasdaq composite advanced 0.4%. Shares of Baker Hughes jumped 4.4% after the company reported quarterly profits that exceeded analysts’ expectations. The energy technology firm said strong demand for liquefied natural gas continued to drive its performance. CoreWeave shares climbed 5.7% after Nvidia announced a $2 billion investment in the company and said it would support the expansion of CoreWeave’s artificial intelligence facilities by 2030. The factories rely on Nvidia chips to boost AI adoption. Nvidia’s own shares slipped 0.6%. USA Rare Earth surged 7.9% after the company said it secured $277 million in federal funding from the U.S. government to support production of heavy rare earths, minerals and magnets. The Trump administration also agreed to a proposed $1.3 billion loan, while the company raised an additional $1.5 billion from private investors. Much of the broader Wall Street session remained subdued, including uneven trading among airline stocks after a winter storm forced the cancellation of thousands of flights across large parts of the United States. Delta Air Lines slipped 0.7%, while Southwest Airlines edged up 0.2%. Read More: Wall Street tumbles as Trump threatens tariffs on eight European nations Overall, the S&P 500 advanced 34.62 points to 6,950.23. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 313.69 points to 49,412.40, and the Nasdaq composite rose 100.11 points to 23,601.36. Stronger momentum was seen in precious metals. Gold prices jumped 2.1% and briefly crossed $5,100 an ounce for the first time, setting a new record. Silver posted an even sharper move, ending 14% higher. Demand for precious metals has climbed as investors seek safer assets amid tariff threats, persistent inflation, political tensions and rising global debt. Fresh concerns followed President Donald Trump’s warning of a 100% tariff on Canadian goods if Canada signs a free trade agreement with China. The U.S. dollar continued to weaken against major currencies, while the Japanese yen surged on expectations of possible market intervention. More volatility may lie ahead as the Federal Reserve prepares to announce its interest-rate decision on Wednesday, alongside key earnings reports from major U.S. companies.

Gold prices in Bangladesh have climbed again within 24 hours, with the Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) announcing a fresh hike on Monday that has pushed prices to a new all-time high. In a notification issued late night, BAJUS said the price of 22-carat gold has been increased by Tk5,249 per bhori, fixing the new rate at Tk262,440, the highest ever in the country’s history. The jewellers’ body said the decision was taken following an increase in the price of pure gold (tejabi gold) in the local market. The revised prices will come into effect from Tuesday. Under the new rates, 21-carat gold will sell at Tk250,484 per bhori, 18-carat gold at Tk214,734 per bhori, while gold made under the traditional method has been priced at Tk176,593 per bhori. Buyers will have to pay an additional 5 percent VAT set by the government and a minimum 6 percent making charge fixed by BAJUS on the selling price.  Gold price jumps Tk 6,299 per bhori in Bangladesh after brief cut However, making charges may vary depending on the design and quality of jewellery. Earlier, on January 25, BAJUS last adjusted gold prices, raising the price of 22-carat gold by Tk1,574 to Tk257,191 per bhori, which was then the highest on record. With the latest adjustment, gold prices have been revised 14 times so far in 2026 — increased on 11 occasions and reduced three times. Alongside gold, BAJUS has also raised silver prices. The price of 22-carat silver has been increased by Tk525 per bhori to Tk7,757, marking the highest silver price in the country’s history. According to the new rates, 21-carat silver will sell at Tk7,407 per bhori, 18-carat silver at Tk6,357 per bhori, while traditional silver has been priced at Tk4,782 per bhori. So far this year, silver prices have been adjusted 11 times in the domestic market, with eight increases and three reductions.

Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) rebounded on Monday after an early slump, with key indices closing higher, although prices of most listed companies ended the session lower. The benchmark DSEX index gained 8 points by the end of trading. The Shariah-based DSES advanced 4 points, while the blue-chip DS30 rose by 2 points. Despite the index gains, market breadth remained negative. Of the traded issues, prices fell for 189 companies, rose for 116, while 85 issues remained unchanged. The turnover declined further, with total transactions amounting to Tk 492 crore, down from Tk 526 crore in the previous session. In the block market, shares of 23 companies worth Tk 20 crore were traded. Fine Foods Limited topped the list with block trades worth Tk 6 crore. Stocks mixed at midday: DSE slips, CSE gains Pragati Life Insurance PLC emerged as the top gainer on the DSE, soaring nearly 10 percent, while FAS Finance and Investment Limited ended as the worst loser, shedding around 9.5 percent. The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also closed higher, with its benchmark CASPI index adding 43 points. However, similar to the DSE, most issues on the CSE ended lower. Prices declined for 74 companies, rose for 61, and remained unchanged for 31. The turnover at the CSE dropped sharply to Tk 4 crore, compared to Tk 9 crore in the previous trading day. DSE, CSE end week’s first session in red IFL Islamic Mutual Fund-1 topped the CSE gainers’ chart with a 10 percent rise, while Tallu Spinning Mills Limited hit the floor, losing 10 percent.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur on Monday announced a strategic plan to reduce large-scale corporate lending by banks as part of a broader effort to contain defaulted loans and develop the country's bond market. Speaking at a seminar titled ‘Bond Market Development in Bangladesh: Challenges and Recommendations’ at the Renaissance Dhaka Gulshan Hotel, the Governor emphasized that corporate entities will be encouraged to decouple from traditional bank financing for large projects. Governor Mansur reaffirmed that the central bank will strictly enforce the ‘Single Borrower Exposure Limit’, which restricts a bank from lending more than 25 percent of its total capital to a single client. Funded Loans will be capped at 15 percent of capital. Non-Funded Loans will be capped at 10 percent of capital. Limits will remain flexible for green financing, including the power and energy sectors. The Governor described this restriction as a "push factor" designed to drive corporate houses toward the bond market for their long-term financing needs. Speaking in the seminar, Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) Chairman Khondoker Rashed Maqsood noted that easy access to bank loans has historically discouraged corporates from entering the capital market. He identified long-term bank lending as a primary driver of the rising volume of non-performing loans (NPLs) in the country. "The economy will be shifted from bank-dependency to capital market-dependency," Governor Mansur stated, adding that while the central bank is currently leading the initiative, full regulatory control of the bond market will eventually transition to the capital market authorities. To make bond issuance more attractive, the central bank and BSEC are working to reduce the time and cost required to issue bonds, provide attractive incentives for investors and conduct ongoing research to align the market with international standards. The seminar, moderated by Deputy Governor Habibur Rahman, featured high-level panel discussions. Notable participants included Finance Secretary Khairuzzaman Mozumder, ICC Bangladesh President Mahbubur Rahman, DSE Chairman Mominul Islam, and senior executives from Pran-RFL Group and City Bank. The discussions were based on joint research conducted by Bangladesh Bank and BSEC, presented by central bank official Ezazul Islam, which highlighted the roadmap for a sustainable secondary bond market in Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Dairy Development Board will open branch offices at key locations across the country to increase milk and dairy production and improve quality standards, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter said on Monday. Farida stressed the need to identify major dairy production hubs, establish an adequate number of regional offices, and develop an appropriate manpower structure to ensure effective implementation of the board’s mandate. She made the remarks while presiding as chairperson over the first meeting of the dairy development governing board, formed under the Bangladesh Dairy Development Board Act, 2023, at the Fisheries and Livestock Ministry conference room. Emphasising the importance of dairy as a balanced food, she said the board must play a strong role in increasing production, setting and controlling quality standards, marketing dairy products and ensuring proper management of related activities. Plenty on fields: Why vegetables so expensive in Dhaka? “To ensure safe milk and dairy products for people across the country, the activities of the Dairy Development Board must go beyond the confines of its headquarters and expand nationwide,” she said, adding that regular board meetings are essential for effective implementation of the law. The 15-member governing board meeting was attended by Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Abu Tahir Muhammed Zaber, who served as vice-chairman of the board. The secretary informed the meeting that Joint Secretary Shahina Ferdousi has been appointed as Executive Director of the board by the Ministry of Public Administration and will also serve as the board’s member secretary. The meeting was convened to approve key decisions required for implementing the functions assigned to the board under the law. Net FDI in Bangladesh jumps over 200 percent in Q3 of 2025: BIDA Board members also discussed launching extensive publicity and awareness campaigns to familiarise stakeholders and the public with the activities of the Dairy Development Board, expressing unanimous support for the initiative.

The Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) on Monday signed a lease agreement with South Korean company Park Handbag BD Ltd to establish a large-scale bag, luggage and high-end garments manufacturing facility at the BEPZA Economic Zone in Mirsarai, Chattogram. The proposed investment, amounting to US$ 80 million, is expected to significantly contribute to industrial growth and employment generation in the country. The agreement was signed at the BEPZA Complex in Dhaka. Md Tanvir Hossain, Executive Director (Investment Promotion) of BEPZA, signed the agreement on behalf of BEPZA, while Beomjoon Park, Chairman of Park Handbag BD Ltd, signed on behalf of the investing company. BEPZA Executive Chairman Major General Mohammad Moazzem Hossain witnessed the signing ceremony. Under the agreement, Park Handbag BD Ltd will develop the project on 57,600 square metres of land to manufacture handbags, backpacks, luggage, and a wide range of knit and woven garments, including polo shirts, T-shirts, padded and down jackets, trousers, sportswear and undergarments. Once fully operational, the project is expected to create employment opportunities for 10,960 Bangladeshi nationals. The manufactured products will be exported to major global markets, including the USA, the UK, the European Union, South America and Asia. Welcoming the South Korean investor, the BEPZA Executive Chairman reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to providing round-the-clock facilitation to investors. He also urged Park to encourage other South Korean entrepreneurs to explore investment opportunities in BEPZA-administered EPZs and Economic Zones. He said BEPZA is continuously modernising its service delivery system through increased automation, digitalisation and efficiency to better serve investors. “We should do better than yesterday,” he remarked, underscoring BEPZA’s drive to remain competitive and responsive. Speaking at the ceremony, Beomjoon Park said Park Handbag BD Ltd will manufacture bags for globally renowned brands such as Coach and Kate Spade. He expressed strong confidence in Bangladesh as a competitive manufacturing destination and praised BEPZA for its fast, efficient and investor-friendly services.    

Trading at the country’s stock markets showed a mixed trend in the first half of the second trading day of the week, with indices falling on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) while rising on the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE). At the DSE, the market opened on a negative note. The benchmark DSEX index shed 7 points, while the blue-chip DS30 index lost 3 points. The Shariah-based DSES index, however, remained unchanged. Most shares witnessed price declines, as prices of 195 companies fell against 101 gainers, while 90 issues remained unchanged. The turnover at the DSE crossed Tk 210 crore during the first half of the session. DSE, CSE end week’s first session in red Meanwhile, the CSE posted gains in early trading. The overall CASPI index rose by 16 points. The prices of 38 companies advanced against 34 losers, while shares of 21 companies remained unchanged. During the first half, shares and units worth around Tk 70 lakh were traded on the CSE.  

Al-Arafah Islami Bank (AIBL) has announced a temporary suspension of all its banking services for nine consecutive days, starting from January 30 to February 7, 2026. The shutdown is part of a major technical upgrade to its "Core Banking System" (CBS) to ensure more secure and modern digital services for its customers. The central bank of Bangladesh issued a notification on Sunday (January 25) granting the bank permission for this scheduled downtime. According to the bank’s schedule, the suspension will affect various services in phases: January 30 – February 7: All online banking services, including ATMs and Internet Banking, will remain completely suspended for the full nine days. February 1 – February 3: All branches and sub-branches will be closed for cash transactions and physical banking. February 5 (10:00 AM): Branches will resume limited operations, primarily for cash transactions only. February 8: All regular and online banking services will fully resume and return to normal operations. Banking sector reform can’t be done overnight: Salehuddin The bank stated that the upgrade is essential to enhance the quality of customer service and bolster transaction security in the current era of digital banking. While the total service suspension lasts nine days, the bank noted that the actual impact on branch-based banking is limited to three days, as January 30-31 are weekend holidays and February 4 is a scheduled holiday for Shab-e-Barat. Bangladesh Bank has approved this "technical downtime" to facilitate the bank's long-term goal of providing superior Shariah-based financial services. Customers are advised to plan their urgent transactions before the shutdown begins.

Trading on the country’s bourses ended on a bearish note on Sunday, the first working day of the week, as both the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) witnessed index falls amid declining turnover and broad-based price erosion. At the DSE, the benchmark DSEX shed 27 points by the end of the session. The Shariah-based DSES fell by 7 points, while the blue-chip index DS30 dropped 15 points. Most stocks closed lower, with prices of 225 companies declining against 107 gainers, while 60 issues remained unchanged. The total turnover at the DSE stood at Tk 526 crore, down from Tk 536 crore in the previous session. In the block market, shares of 21 companies worth Tk 10 crore were traded, with Chartered Life Insurance PLC topping the list with block transactions amounting to Tk 1.6 crore. Asia Insurance PLC emerged as the top gainer on the DSE, rising nearly 10 percent, while Familytex (BD) Limited was the worst performer, losing more than 8 percent. The Chittagong Stock Exchange also ended in the red, with its overall index CASPI losing 13 points. At the CSE, prices of 71 companies declined against 66 gainers, while 17 issues remained unchanged. The turnover at the port city bourse dropped sharply to Tk 9 crore, compared to Tk 14 crore in the previous trading day. Phoenix Insurance Company Limited topped the CSE gainers’ list with an almost 10 percent rise, while Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB) hit the bottom, shedding 10 percent of its share price.