United News of Bangladesh

Trading at both the Dhaka and Chattogram stock exchanges began on a negative note on Sunday, with key indices falling in the first hour amid widespread price declines. At the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the benchmark DSEX index shed 21 points in early trading. The Shariah-based DSES index fell by 4 points, while the blue-chip DS30 index dropped 8 points. Most listed companies witnessed price erosion. Of the issues traded, prices declined for 206 companies, while 65 advanced and 76 remained unchanged. Share and unit turnover at the DSE crossed Tk 60 crore in the first hour of trading. The downward trend also continued at the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE), where the overall index slipped by 5 points. Prices rose for 11 companies, declined for 13, and remained unchanged for 3. During the first half of the session, shares and units worth Tk 1.20 crore were traded at the CSE.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said Saturday he is optimistic that the long-delayed free trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union could be signed in January, despite mounting opposition from some European countries and protests by farmers across the continent. European Union leaders had initially planned to finalize the agreement during a visit to Brazil this weekend. However, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Friday that the signing would be postponed by several weeks following a tense EU summit, citing the need to resolve outstanding concerns raised by member states. Speaking to fellow South American leaders at a Mercosur summit in Foz do Iguacu — near Brazil’s border with Argentina and Paraguay — Lula said European negotiators had previously indicated the deal would be signed, prompting the meeting. He said the delay came after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni requested additional time. Von der Leyen must secure the support of at least two-thirds of EU member states to move forward. Italy’s opposition could give France enough backing to block the agreement. Lula said he spoke with Meloni by phone on Friday and received a letter from EU leaders expressing their intention to conclude the deal in January. He stressed that political determination is essential to complete negotiations that have stretched on for more than 26 years. “Without leadership and courage, it’s impossible to finalize a negotiation that has lasted so long,” Lula told the summit, adding that Mercosur would continue pursuing partnerships elsewhere if delays persist. If completed, the agreement would create a free trade zone covering about 780 million people and roughly one-quarter of global GDP, gradually eliminating tariffs on most goods exchanged between the two blocs. Canada, U.S. to Begin Formal Review of Free Trade Agreement in Mid-January France has been at the forefront of resistance to the deal involving Mercosur members Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia. French President Emmanuel Macron said this week he could not yet commit to supporting the agreement and noted ongoing talks with leaders from Italy, Poland, Belgium, Austria and Ireland to address farmers’ concerns. Lula countered that no single leader can derail the pact and expressed hope that the deal would move forward in the interest of Mercosur, multilateral cooperation and economic development. Source: AP 

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.      

The three-day housing fair organised by real estate company JCX Developments Limited began in the capital on Thursday, offering discounts and facilities for buyers. JCX Developments Limited Managing Director Iqbal Hossain Chowdhury and the company’s brand ambassador, popular actress Bidya Sinha Mim inaugurated the fair at the JCX Business Tower on Japan Street in Block I of Bashundhara Residential Area. Among others present at the inauguration were JCX Developments Limited CEO Siddiquar Rahman, Operations Director Asif Mahmud Chowdhury, Director Mirza Golam Rahman Shubho, COO Col (retd) ABM Mizanur Rahman, Executive Director Col (retd) Md Ariful Haque, and Star Connector COO Neel Hurer Jahan. JCX is offering customers discounts of up to Tk 10 lakh on flat bookings during the fair. Buyers will also enjoy a range of complimentary benefits, including a 100 percent discount on interior design services, free kitchen cabinets, and home movers’ services. The fair will remain open to visitors every day from 10am to 7pm and will continue until December 20. Speaking on the occasion, Iqbal Hossain said JCX currently has multiple ongoing projects in Bashundhara, Jolshiri and Niketan areas. Customers booking flats in these projects will receive a cash discount of up to Tk 10 lakh along with shopping vouchers from JCX Gold. Bidya Sinha described JCX Developments as a symbol of trust, saying she has been living in a JCX apartment for more than a decade. “I can confidently say that buyers will benefit by purchasing flats from JCX,” she added. At the event, it was also disclosed that under JCX Developments’ 65 ongoing residential projects, buyers will have the opportunity to choose their preferred flat or office space from more than 5.081 million square feet of space. In addition, construction is underway on JCX Grand Residences, a luxury condominium project being developed on 92 kathas of land in Bashundhara Residential Area. A commercial building named Icon Hundred is also being built on two bighas of land, with 50 percent of the total area kept as open space. Iqbal Hossain also said that JCX ensures visually appealing designs and international-standard, earthquake-resistant housing by combining Japanese and local top engineers. He added that all JCX projects are handed over to customers within the scheduled timeframe.

Canada and the United States are set to begin formal talks to review their free trade agreement in mid-January, according to the office of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Carney informed provincial leaders that Dominic LeBlanc, Canada’s lead official on U.S. trade relations, “will meet with U.S. counterparts in mid-January to initiate formal discussions,” the Prime Minister’s office said Thursday. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), negotiated by U.S. President Donald Trump during his first term, is scheduled for review in 2026, under a clause allowing potential renegotiation. Canada, heavily reliant on trade, exports more than 75% of its goods to the United States, although many exports currently benefit from USMCA exemptions. Tensions in trade talks arose in October after Ontario ran an anti-tariff ad in the U.S., prompting Trump to suspend certain discussions. Carney said Canada and the U.S. were close to agreeing on sectoral tariff relief covering steel, aluminum, autos, and lumber. He noted that U.S. concerns over Canadian dairy, alcohol, and digital services will be part of broader continental trade discussions. The Prime Minister and provincial leaders plan to meet in Ottawa early next year to further address trade issues. Source: AP 

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.  

Opsonin Pharma Limited, one of the country’s leading pharmaceutical manufacturers, held its Annual Sales Conference 2026 on Thursday at the International Convention Centre, Bashundhara. The company has recorded consistent and notable sales growth over the past several years and maintained this momentum throughout 2025, said a press release on Thursday. According to the IMS Report for the second quarter of 2025, Opsonin Pharma currently ranks among the top-performing pharmaceutical companies in terms of sales in Bangladesh. Alongside meeting domestic market demand, the company has also been expanding its international presence by exporting pharmaceutical products to a number of countries worldwide. The conference was attended by all field-level officials of the company. Among the distinguished participants were Opsonin Pharma Chairman Captain (Retd) Abdus Sabur Khan, Managing Director Abdur Rauf Khan, Deputy Managing Director Abdur Rakib Khan, Director (Sales and Marketing) Md Abdul Momen Talukdar, Assistant General Managers (Sales) Md Mahmudul Haque and Debojite Chandra Bhowmick, and Assistant General Managers (PMD) Taj Md Aga Menon and Md Akhtar Hossain, along with other senior officials. During the programme, Director (Sales and Marketing) Md Abdul Momen Talukdar presented an overview of the current pharmaceutical market scenario, highlighting marketing strategies and the company’s future vision. He also outlined Opsonin Pharma’s goals, objectives and strategic policy directions aimed at ensuring sustainable growth and further strengthening its leadership position in the market.

Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) on Thursday launched an Information Help Desk aimed at making capital market-related information more accessible and effective for investors and other stakeholders. The help desk was formally inaugurated by DSE Managing Director (acting) Mohammad Asadur Rahman at the exchange premises. “Infrastructure through the Information Help Desk will make the dissemination of capital market-related information easier and ensure quick and effective responses to various queries from investors and stakeholders. This will further enhance DSE’s service quality, making it more customer-friendly and transparent,” Asadur said. He expressed optimism that the initiative would play a significant role in boosting market participants’ confidence in the exchange. Investors and stakeholders can obtain capital market-related information by contacting the help desk at +88-02-41040189 and 09666-702070, he added. DSE Chief Technology Officer Dr Asifur Rahman, Chief Financial Officer Md Samiul Islam, Chief Regulatory Officer Md Shafiqul Islam Bhuiyan, and other senior officials were present at the event.

Trading at both the Dhaka and Chattogram stock exchanges began on a negative note on Thursday, with key indices falling in the first hour amid declines in most company prices. The benchmark DSEX at the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) shed 17 points. The Shariah-based DSES fell by 5 points, while the blue-chip DS-30 index lost 8 points. Out of the traded issues, prices declined for 217 companies against gains for 81, while 86 remained unchanged. The turnover at the DSE crossed Tk 127 crore in shares and units during the first half of the session. Bangladesh stocks slide on week’s opening day at DSE, CSE The downtrend also persisted at the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE), where the general index dropped by 44 points. At the CSE, prices advanced for 25 companies, declined for 43 and remained unchanged for 11 issues. The port city bourse recorded a turnover of Tk 2 crore in shares and units in the first half.