United News of Bangladesh

Indices fell at both the Dhaka and Chittagong stock exchanges on Sunday, the first trading day of the week, with most listed companies witnessing price declines. At the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the benchmark DSEX index dropped by 44 points, while the Shariah-based DSES lost 7 points and the blue-chip DS30 index declined by 21 points. Losers dominated the market: share prices fell for 250 companies against 114 gainers, while 30 remained unchanged. However, turnover increased compared to the previous session, with total transactions reaching Tk 646 crore, up from Tk 603 crore earlier. In the block market, shares worth Tk 32 crore from 44 companies were traded, with Al-Arafah Islami Bank PLC topping the list with transactions worth Tk 8.5 crore. Among individual issues, Bangladesh Autocars Limited emerged as the top gainer with nearly 10 percent price appreciation, while Prime Textile Spinning Mills Limited was the worst performer, losing around 7 percent. Meanwhile, the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended in the red after early gains failed to sustain. The overall CASPI index fell by 112 points at the close. Prices declined for most issues, with 98 companies posting losses, 82 advancing and 19 remaining unchanged. Total turnover at the port city bourse rose to Tk 32 crore from Tk 20 crore in the previous session. Among the top performers, Hamid Fabrics PLC gained nearly 10 percent, while Reliance Insurance PLC shed about 10 percent to become the worst loser.

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) bounced back on Wednesday after declining in the previous session following the Eid holidays, while the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) failed to recover, ending in the red despite most stocks posting gains. At the DSE, the benchmark DSEX advanced by 31 points. The Shariah-based DSES gained 1 point, while the blue-chip DS30 index rose by 8 points. Gainers outpaced losers: 241 companies saw share price increases against declines in 102, while 47 remained unchanged. Turnover also improved, with total transactions reaching Tk 603 crore, up from Tk 492 crore in the previous session. In the block market, shares of 21 companies worth Tk 24 crore were traded, with Asiatic Laboratories Limited topping the list with Tk 7 crore in transactions. Most of the top gainers were mutual funds. Units of EBL NRB Mutual Fund, PHP First Mutual Fund and Popular Life First Mutual Fund rose by 10 percent each. On the losing side, Generation Next Fashions Limited plunged more than 9.5 percent to the bottom. Meanwhile, the CSE index dropped by 39 points, although the majority of stocks recorded gains. Prices rose for 93 companies, fell for 64, and remained unchanged for 17. Turnover at the port city bourse increased to Tk 20 crore from Tk 18 crore in the previous session. Like the DSE, mutual funds dominated the gainers’ chart at the CSE. Units of LR Global Bangladesh Mutual Fund One, PHP First Mutual Fund, SEML FBSL Growth Mutual Fund and EBL NRB Mutual Fund rose by 10 percent each. However, Shahjalal Islami Bank PLC fell 10 percent, becoming the worst performer at the CSE.

Stocks opened the week on a negative note at the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) on Sunday as key indices fell sharply, most listed companies lost value and overall turnover declined. The benchmark DSEX index dropped 49 points during the day’s trading. The DSES, the Shariah-based index, lost 8 points while the blue-chip DS30 index fell 23 points. Most of the listed companies ended in the red. Out of the traded issues, prices of 246 companies declined, while 99 advanced and 45 remained unchanged. DSE, CSE  indices end week on positive note Market turnover also decreased. A total of Tk 523 crore worth of shares and units were traded on the premier bourse, down from Tk 591 crore in the previous session. In the gainers’ list, Mercantile Bank PLC led the table at the DSE with a 5 percent price increase, while ICB Islamic Bank Ltd was the day’s worst performer, losing nearly 6 percent. Meanwhile, the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) saw no major movement in its key index, though most companies posted gains. At the port city bourse, 94 issues advanced, 52 declined, and 19 remained unchanged. Turnover at the CSE increased significantly to Tk 35 crore, compared to Tk 14 crore in the previous session. Among the top performers, FAS Finance & Investment Ltd rose 10 percent to lead the gainers’ list, while Index Agro Industries Ltd plunged nearly 10 percent, becoming the worst loser of the day.

Stocks closed higher at both the country’s bourses on Wednesday, with the majority of listed companies posting gains, though trading turnover declined compared with the previous session. The benchmark DSEX of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) rose by 2 points. The Shariah-based DSES gained 3 points, while the blue-chip DS30 remained unchanged. Of the traded issues, 236 advanced, 98 declined and 57 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor. Turnover at the DSE fell to Tk 523 crore from Tk 593 crore in the previous session. In the block market, shares worth Tk 35 crore from 28 companies were traded, with Orion Infusion PLC leading the list with shares worth Tk 14 crore changing hands. Vanguard AML Rupali Bank Balanced Fund topped the gainers’ chart on the DSE with a price surge of nearly 9.5 percent, while National Bank PLC became the worst loser, shedding about 5.5 percent. Meanwhile, the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher, with its benchmark CASPI advancing by 48 points. Among the traded issues at the CSE, 81 gained, 44 declined and 25 remained unchanged. Turnover at the port city bourse dropped to Tk 39 crore, down from Tk 47 crore in the previous session. Prime Finance & Investment Limited emerged as the top gainer at the CSE with a 10 percent price rise, while Sonali Life Insurance Company Limited ended at the bottom of the losers’ list, losing around 8 percent.

Indices posted a strong rebound for the second consecutive day at the country’s stock markets on Tuesday, with major indices rose at both the Dhaka and Chattogram bourses, and most listed companies recorded price gains. At the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the benchmark DSEX index advanced by 148 points. The Shariah-based DSES index gained 23 points, while the blue-chip DS30 index rose 62 points. Most stocks closed higher: prices of 339 companies increased, compared with declines in 13 issues, while 37 remained unchanged. Turnover also improved significantly. Shares and units worth nearly Tk 600 crore traded during the session, up from Tk 416 crore in the previous trading day. In the block market, shares of 31 companies worth about Tk 76 crore changed hands. Olympic Industries PLC led the chart with block trades worth Tk 49 crore. Pragati Life Insurance PLC topped the gainers’ list on the DSE with a nearly 10 percent price rise, while Metro Spinning Limited was the day’s worst performer with a decline of about 2 percent. The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also witnessed a sharp rise, with the overall CASPI index climbing 323 points. Most companies posted gains there as well: 131 issues advanced against 32 decliners, while prices of 10 companies remained unchanged. However, turnover slightly decreased at the port city bourse. Shares and units worth Tk 47 crore traded, down from Tk 48 crore in the previous session. At the CSE, NRBC Bank PLC emerged as the top gainer with nearly a 10 percent price increase, while Sonargaon Textiles Limited ended at the bottom of the list with a decline of around 10 percent.

Bangladesh’s two stock exchanges opened the week with a steep fall on Sunday, as indices plunged in both markets and share prices declined for the majority of listed companies. The benchmark index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), DSEX, dropped by 231 points during the day’s trading. The Shariah-based DSES index fell by 35 points while the blue-chip DS30 index declined by 90 points. Most listed companies ended in the red: prices fell for 371 firms, while only 10 gained and nine remained unchanged. Although turnover slightly increased, selling pressure dominated the market. A total of shares and units worth Tk 531 crore were traded on the DSE, up from Tk 459 crore in the previous session. In the block market, shares worth Tk 23 crore from 30 companies were traded, with Asiatic Laboratories Limited topping the list with transactions worth about Tk 4 crore. City Insurance Company Limited led the gainers’ chart on the DSE with a 5 percent rise in share price, while Alif Manufacturing Company Limited was the worst loser, shedding 10 percent. The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also witnessed a sharp decline as its overall index CASPI dropped by 419 points. Prices fell for 145 companies against 17 gainers, while two remained unchanged on the CSE. Turnover on the port city bourse fell sharply to about Tk 16 crore, compared with Tk 41 crore in the previous trading session. Prime Bank 1st ICB AMCL Mutual Fund topped the gainers’ list on the CSE with a 10 percent rise, while Familytex (BD) Limited was the worst loser, losing 10 percent of its value.      

Stocks ended the week on a sharp downturn on Thursday as key indices of both the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) fell significantly, with the majority of listed companies witnessing price declines. The market opened on a negative note at the DSE and failed to recover throughout the session. At the close, the benchmark DSEX index dropped 82 points. The Shariah-based DSES index lost 13 points while the blue-chip DS30 index declined 33 points. Most of the listed securities ended lower: prices fell for 308 companies, while 52 advanced and 33 remained unchanged. Turnover also declined, with shares and units worth Tk 459 crore traded during the session, down from Tk 582 crore in the previous trading day. In the block market, shares of 34 companies worth about Tk 21 crore were traded, with Orion Infusion PLC leading the chart with transactions worth Tk 4.7 crore. Intech Limited topped the gainers’ list on the DSE with a rise of over 4.5 percent, while First Finance Limited was the worst loser, shedding 10 percent. Meanwhile, the CSE also experienced a sharp fall as its benchmark CASPI index dropped 192 points. Out of the traded issues, 126 companies declined, 41 advanced and 14 remained unchanged. However, turnover at the port city bourse increased nearly fivefold to Tk 41 crore, compared to Tk 8 crore in the previous session. IFL Islamic Mutual Fund-1 emerged as the top gainer at the CSE with a 10 percent rise, while Takaful Islami Insurance PLC was the worst performer, losing 10 percent.

European shares slipped Thursday despite rebounds in Asia and on Wall Street, as Iran launched new attacks and threatened the U.S. U.S. futures also fell back, with the contract for the Dow Jones Industrial Average losing 0.5%, while that for the S&P 500 shed 0.3%. Uncertainty about the war in the Middle East has been rattling financial markets, with most taking their cues from what the price of oil is doing. “Yesterday’s bounce in risk assets already looks less like a turning point and more like a classic relief rally in a market that briefly inhaled before realizing the room was still on fire,” Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management said in a commentary. Crude prices climbed early Thursday, with Brent, the international standard, gaining 3.2% to $84 per barrel. U.S. benchmark crude jumped 3.7% to $77.37 per barrel. The war brought a fresh wave of attacks by Iran on Israeli and American bases. Iran warned the United States would “bitterly regret” torpedoing an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean and a religious leader called for “Trump’s blood,” while Israel said it had begun a “large-scale” attack on Tehran. In Germany, the DAX lost 0.5% to 24,087.63, while the CAC 40 in Paris lost 0.6% to 8,118.25. Britain's FTSE 100 edged 0.2% lower, to 10,547.82. In Asian trading, South Korea’s Kospi took back much of its historic losses from a day earlier, jumping 9.6% to 5,583.90. It had gained as much as 12% earlier in the day as investors hunted bargains, triggering temporary trading halts. The government announced emergency measures for the economy after the benchmark fell by the most ever in a single day on Wednesday. President Lee Jae Myung urged officials to activate an emergency financial package worth 100 trillion won ($68.5 billion) aimed at calming market volatility. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 index gave back some early gains, closing 1.9% higher at 55,278.06. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng climbed 0.3% to 25,321.34 after Chinese Premier Li Qiang opened the annual session of the National People's Congress with a report that set the annual target for economic growth this year at 4.5% to 5%. A draft budget put the increase in military spending at 7%, down from 7.2% in recent years. The government pledged to support the sluggish domestic economy and spur more consumer spending, but did not announce any major new stimulus. The Shanghai Composite index gained 0.6% to 4,108.57. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.4% to 8,940.30, while New Zealand's benchmark rose 0.6%. Taiwan's main share index gained 2.6%. On Wednesday, U.S. stocks got a boost as oil prices steadied, albeit temporarily. A report that said growth for U.S. businesses in the real estate, finance and other services industries accelerated last month at the fastest pace since the summer of 2022 also helped. The S&P 500 rose 0.8%, erasing much of its losses since the war with Iran began. The Dow industrials added 0.5% and the Nasdaq composite climbed 1.3%. Another report suggested U.S. private sector employers stepped up hiring last month, a potentially hopeful signal for a more comprehensive U.S. government Friday about the overall job market. Investors are worried over how long the war with Iran could last, how high inflation may go because of more expensive oil and how much damage that might do to corporate profits. Wall Street also got a lift from Big Tech stocks as Amazon rose 3.9% and Nvidia added 1.7%. Because they’re among the biggest stocks in the U.S. market in terms of total value, their movements carry more weight on the S&P 500. Wednesday’s strong reports on the economy were welcome news for the Federal Reserve, whose job it is to keep the U.S. job market healthy and inflation low. The Fed’s job has become more difficult because of the jump in oil prices, which is pushing upward on already high inflation. In other dealings early Thursday, the U.S. dollar rose to 157.22 Japanese yen from 157.07 yen. The euro fell to $1.1596 from $1.1636. The dollar has advanced against other currencies partly because the U.S. is viewed as facing less risk from the war than other countries, analysts said. “When the world becomes less certain, capital gravitates toward the deepest pool of liquidity available,” Innes said, adding that the dollar “remains the market's preferred storm shelter.”

Stocks ended lower on both bourses on Wednesday, reversing early gains, while overall turnover declined significantly on the day. At the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the benchmark DSEX index shed 2 points at the close. The Shariah-based DSES remained unchanged, while the blue-chip DS30 index declined by 4 points. Despite the marginal fall in indices, most listed companies posted gains. Of the traded issues, 227 advanced, 112 declined and 54 remained unchanged. DSE gains in first half as CSE slips despite broader price rise Turnover at the DSE fell sharply to over Tk 580 crore, down from Tk 885 crore in the previous session. In the block market, shares worth Tk 28 crore from 36 companies were traded. Orion Infusion PLC led the segment with nearly Tk 14 crore in transactions. Among the day’s top performers, Sea Pearl Beach Resort & Spa Limited gained nearly 7 percent to top the advancers’ chart, while GSP Finance Company (Bangladesh) PLC plunged around 10 percent to emerge as the worst loser on the DSE. The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also closed in the red, with its broad index CASPI losing 68 points. Most issues on the CSE declined, as 96 companies saw price erosion against 58 gainers, while 16 remained unchanged. Turnover at the port city bourse dropped nearly threefold to Tk 8 crore, compared to Tk 23 crore in the previous session. Zahintex Industries Limited rose 10 percent to lead the gainers at the CSE, while Hakkani Pulp & Paper Mills PLC fell nearly 10 percent to bottom the losers’ list.

Trading on Bangladesh’s bourses showed a mixed trend in the first half on Wednesday, with the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) posting gains while the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) witnessed a decline in its key index. During the first half of the fourth trading day of the week, the DSE’s benchmark index DSEX advanced by 47 points. The Shariah-based DSES index rose by 8 points, while the blue-chip DS30 index gained 11 points. Most listed companies saw price appreciation at the DSE, with 325 issues advancing, 29 declining and 38 remaining unchanged. Turnover at the DSE stood at around Tk 330 crore in the first half of trading. Meanwhile, the CSE experienced a fall in its overall index. The CASPI lost 46 points in the first half. Despite the index decline, the majority of companies registered gains at the CSE, as 51 issues advanced against 48 decliners, while 18 remained unchanged. Turnover at the CSE amounted to Tk 4 crore during the period.