United News of Bangladesh

Both the Dhaka and Chattogram stock exchanges closed higher on Sunday, the first trading session of the week, with most listed companies ending the day in the green. At the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the benchmark index DSEX rose by 61 points at the end of the day’s session. The Shariah-based DSES index gained 17 points, while the blue-chip index DS30 advanced by 42 points. Out of 398 issues traded on the DSE, prices of 180 advanced, 146 declined and 72 remained unchanged. All three categories — A, B, and Z — saw a majority of their stocks gain in value. Among the 219 companies under the A category, which includes firms with strong dividend records, 98 posted gains, while 84 declined and 37 remained unchanged. Stocks rally in first two hours of trading at DSE, CSE In the block market, shares of 29 companies worth Tk 10 crore were traded. Asiatic Laboratories Limited topped the list with block trades worth Tk 3 crore. Mozaffar Hossain Spinning Mills emerged as the day’s top gainer on the DSE, rising by 9.66 percent, while Express Insurance Limited was the top loser, shedding 9.82 percent. The total turnover on the DSE stood at Tk 775 crore, slightly lower than the previous session’s Tk 789 crore. Chattogram Market   Mirroring the upward trend in Dhaka, the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also saw a sharp rise, with its overall index gaining 146 points. Of the 224 issues traded on the CSE, 123 advanced, 78 declined and 23 remained unchanged. VFS Thread Dyeing Limited topped the CSE gainers’ list with a 10 percent rise, while ICB AMCL 3rd NRB Mutual Fund was the biggest loser, falling by 10 percent. The turnover on the CSE reached Tk 10 crore, up from Tk 6 crore in the previous session.

The country’s stock market is reeling under significant pressure this week, with both the Dhaka and Chattogram bourses witnessing substantial losses. Following a fall on the first trading day, the market continued its downward trend on Tuesday, the second session after the Bangla New Year holiday, as the share prices of most listed companies declined. On the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the key index DSEX shed 37 points, reflecting the prevailing bearish sentiment. The downturn extended to other indices as well— the Shariah-based DSES dropped by 10 points, while the blue-chip DS30 index lost 18 points. Out of 397 companies traded on the DSE, the majority suffered price losses. While only 98 companies recorded gains, 255 saw a decline in share prices and 44 remained unchanged. A breakdown by category shows the price fall dominated across all segments—A, B, and Z. In particular, only 11 of the 83 B-category companies experienced price increases, while 67 declined and 5 remained unchanged. Mutual funds were not spared either. Among the 36 funds traded, only 7 saw price appreciation, while 24 declined and 5 stayed the same. In the block market, 26 companies offloaded shares worth Tk 48.93 crore. Marico Bangladesh topped the chart, selling shares worth Tk 23.38 crore alone. Despite the falling indices, DSE saw an increase in overall turnover. Total transactions reached over Tk 446 crore, compared to Tk 414 crore on the previous trading day. Rangpur Foundry Ltd emerged as the top gainer on the DSE, with its share price rising by 9.94%. The stock opened at Tk 142.90 and closed at Tk 157.10. FICCI calls for equitable energy tariff to safeguard investment, competitiveness In contrast, Khan Brothers was the worst performer of the day, shedding 9.96%. The stock fell from Tk 134.50 to close at Tk 121.10. Chattogram Bourse Follows Suit The Chattogram Stock Exchange (CSE) mirrored the downtrend, with its key index plunging by 100 points during the day’s trading session. Out of 211 companies traded on the CSE, 135 witnessed a decline in share prices, while 54 advanced and 22 remained unchanged. Turnover on the CSE also decreased sharply. From Tk 15 crore in the previous session, total transactions dipped to just Tk 7 crore. Eastern Cables Ltd became the day’s top gainer on the CSE, with its share price climbing by 9.95%. On the losing end, Deshbandhu Polymer Ltd dropped by 9.77%, ending the day at the bottom of the performance table. Both bourses are now navigating through a period of uncertainty, with investor sentiment remaining shaky amid continued sell pressure and limited buying support.

Investors of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) have called for the resignation of Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) Chairman Khondoker Rashed Maqsood, citing his inability to manage the volatile stock market. The demands came after share prices of various companies plummeted, prompting widespread frustration among investors. Many blamed the BSEC chairman for failing to provide necessary support to institutional investors, which they claim has led to market instability. Protesters demanded a task force, like the one formed for the banking sector, to investigate the irregularities. They rallied outside the old DSE building in Motijheel on Thursday morning. Read: Stock market bullish on second day of lifting floor price Protestors marched from Motijheel to Agargaon, eventually staging a sit-in outside the BSEC headquarters, reiterating their demand for Maqsood’s resignation.  On Wednesday, at around 4:30 pm, investors from various organizations gathered outside the Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB) and announced the ‘Long March’ to pressure the regulatory body. Read more:Dhaka Stock Exchange gains Tk 6,749 crore in market capital Earlier that day, members of the Bangladesh Capital Market Investors Oikya Parishad had formed a human chain in front of the old DSE building, underscoring the growing frustration with the market regulator.     

Saif Powertec Limited on Sunday handed over 100 laptops and Tk1.80 crore for 1000 students as scholarship to Sheikh Russel National Shishu-Kishore Parishad marking the 57th birthday of Sheikh Russell, the youngest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.