United News of Bangladesh

Shares around the world rose as investors grew optimistic of a ceasefire extension in the Iran war. In Europe, Britain’s FTSE 100, France’s CAC 40 and Germany’s DAX were all up by around 0.5%. In Asia, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 closed 2.4% while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 1.7% to 26,394.26. The Shanghai Composite index ended 0.7% higher. Pakistan’s army chief is set to meet with Iranian officials in Tehran on Thursday in a bid to extend the ceasefire which paused almost seven weeks of war between Israel, the U.S. and Iran that have killed thousands of people and upended global markets by disrupting the flow of oil.  Uncertainty remains whether the frantic diplomacy can lead to a deal. The meeting comes as President Donald Trump announced the leaders of Israel and Lebanon will speak later on Thursday about halting the fighting between them.  If it takes place, the conversation would be the first time the leaders of the two countries have spoken directly in more than 30 years.  Both Israeli and Lebanese governments refused to confirm a conversation.  

Bangladesh’s stock market saw a sharp decline in March 2026, with the benchmark DSEX index falling 7.53% to 5,178.31, down from 5,600.27 in February. The drop, equivalent to about 422 points, came amid a broad global sell-off, as all major equity indices tracked in the DSE Monthly Market Review recorded monthly losses. While Bangladesh was among the harder-hit markets, steeper declines were observed in Indonesia (-14.42%), Pakistan (-11.50%), and India (-11.49%). March proved a punishing month for global equities, with no market spared. In the Asia-Pacific region, Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite plunged 14.42% to 7,048.22 from 8,235.49 in February. Weekly Analysis: DSE, CSE edge higher, yet most stocks remain in the red Pakistan’s KSE 100 dropped 11.50% to 148,743.31, while India’s S&P BSE SENSEX fell 11.49% to 71,947.55. Taiwan’s weighted index declined 8.18% to 32,518.16, Thailand’s SET lost 5.24%, and Malaysia’s KLSE Composite slipped 1.53%. Among major Asian markets, Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 9.56% to 53,221.50, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng dropped 6.92% to 24,788.14, and Singapore’s Straits Times Index edged down 2.19% to 4,885.45—the smallest loss in the region. In Europe, Germany’s DAX declined 10.30% to 22,680.04, while the UK’s FTSE 100 fell 6.73% to 10,176.45. The US Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 5.38% to 46,341.51, reflecting a broad risk-off sentiment globally. Despite widespread annual gains across most markets, Bangladesh and India stood out as the only Asia-Pacific economies posting year-on-year declines. The DSEX fell 0.78% compared to March 2025, while India’s SENSEX dropped a steeper 7.06%. In contrast, Taiwan’s index surged 57.12% year-on-year, Japan’s Nikkei rose 49.42%, Thailand’s SET gained 25.05%, and Pakistan’s KSE 100 advanced 26.26% despite its monthly fall. Singapore recorded a 22.98% annual gain, Malaysia 11.67%, and Indonesia 8.26%. In developed markets, the US Dow Jones rose 10.33% and the UK’s FTSE 100 gained 18.57%. Amid equity market weakness, Bangladesh recorded the most significant macroeconomic shift in the region, a 16.10% year-on-year decline in inflation, the sharpest among all markets tracked. This contrasts with rising inflation elsewhere: India (3.20%), Pakistan (7.00%), Indonesia (4.80%), and the United States (2.40%). Only Thailand reported a marginal decline of 0.90%. The sharp disinflation may provide some relief to policymakers and investors despite ongoing market pressure. Bangladesh’s GDP growth at current market prices stood at 11%, the second highest in the review after Taiwan’s 12.70% This outpaced India (7.80%), Singapore (6.90%), and Indonesia (5.40%). Advanced economies lagged significantly, with the US growing at 2%, the UK at 1 percent, and Germany and Japan at just 0.40%. However, Bangladesh’s 10-year government bond yield remained elevated at 10.32% among the highest in the region, behind only Pakistan’s 12.73%. Higher yields tend to divert funds from equities to fixed-income instruments, which may be weighing on the stock market. India’s bond yield stood at 7.00%, Indonesia’s at 6.89%, while Taiwan and Singapore posted much lower yields at 1.54% and 2.89% respectively. Capital market experts said the March data highlights a persistent disconnect between Bangladesh’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals and weak equity market performance. Despite robust GDP growth and sharply declining inflation typically supportive of equities, the DSEX has posted a year-on-year decline, pointing to structural challenges such as high bond yields, shallow market depth, and limited institutional participation. Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB) Chairman Abu Ahmed said a sustained recovery in the DSEX will depend on reducing borrowing costs, maintaining the disinflation trend, and strengthening investor confidence. He added that while March was difficult for investors, the easing inflation trend offers a positive signal that could help stabilise the market in the coming months.

Stock indices advanced on both bourses over the week despite a majority of listed companies witnessing price declines, reflecting a mixed trading pattern. According to the weekly market pulse of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the benchmark DSEX gained 37 points. The Shariah-based DSES rose 3 points, while the blue-chip DS30 index added 21 points. The SME index, DSMEX, posted a sharp rise of 120 points. On a year-on-year basis, DSEX and DS30 increased by 8 percent each, while DSES grew by 6 percent and the SME index by 11 percent. DSE meets Chinese investors' body to boost capital market cooperation However, market breadth remained negative on the DSE, with prices falling for most issues. Of the traded securities, 220 declined, 138 advanced and 29 remained unchanged. Average daily turnover slightly increased to Tk 669 crore, up from Tk 668 crore in the previous week. Sector-wise, only eight out of 21 sectors posted gains, while 13 sectors declined. Stocks in the ceramic, mutual fund and tourism sectors fell by more than 30 percent. Except for general insurance, all financial sector stocks ended lower. Bank stocks declined by around 5 percent, non-bank financial institutions by about 11 percent, and life insurance shares dropped nearly 20 percent. In block trading, GQ Ball Pen Industries topped the chart with shares worth Tk 20 crore, followed by Al-Arafah Islami Bank (Tk 18 crore), Fine Foods Limited (Tk 16 crore) and City Insurance (Tk 14 crore). Bangladesh Autocars Limited emerged as the top gainer on the DSE, with its share price rising to Tk 222 at the end of the week from Tk 181 a week earlier, marking a 22 percent return. On the losing side, APSCL Non-Convertible and Fully Redeemable Coupon Bearing Bond plunged over 15 percent, with its price dropping to Tk 1,115 from Tk 1,320. Meanwhile, the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also saw indices close higher. The benchmark CASPI rose 73 points, while the CSE30 and CSE50 indices gained 111 points and 4 points respectively. Despite the index ending higher, most stocks on the CSE declined, with 144 issues losing value, 123 gaining and 30 remaining unchanged. Top gainers at the CSE included Sonargaon Textiles, MK Footwear, KDS Accessories, Vanguard AML Rupali Bank Balanced Fund and ACME Pesticides Limited. The major losers were Premier Leasing and Finance, MIDAS Financing, Pragati Insurance, PHP First Mutual Fund and Global Heavy Chemicals Limited.

Both Dhaka and Chittagong stock exchanges closed Thursday's session, the last trading day of the week with significant index losses, as share prices fell across the majority of listed companies. After three consecutive days of gains, all indices of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) slipped into the red. The benchmark DSEX lost 60 points, while the Shariah-based DSES fell 12 points and the blue-chip DS30 index shed 23 points. Losers far outpaced gainers on the DSE, with 306 companies recording price declines against gains in only 70, while 14 companies remained unchanged. In the block market, shares worth Tk 28 crore were traded across 39 companies, with Fine Foods Limited leading the segment at Tk 4.70 crore. Overall market turnover dropped by more than Tk 200 crore, settling at Tk 776 crore compared to Tk 991 crore the previous session. Bengal Windsor Thermoplastics PLC topped the DSE gainers' chart with an 8 percent rise, while ICB Islamic Bank Limited was the steepest loser, shedding 9 percent. The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) mirrored the bearish sentiment, with the CASPI index dropping 44 points. Among 195 traded issues, 107 declined against 73 advances, with 15 remaining flat. Despite the index slump, turnover on the CSE surged sharply to Tk 110 crore from just Tk 31 crore the previous day. Progressive Life Insurance Company Limited led the gainers with nearly 10 percent appreciation, while Reliance One The First Scheme of Reliance Insurance Mutual Fund fell the most at 10 percent.

Stocks extended their gaining streak for the third consecutive session on Wednesday, with the benchmark index at the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) posting a sharp rise. The DSEX, the prime index of the DSE, advanced by 161 points, while all other indices also ended higher. The Shariah-based DSES gained 30 points and the blue-chip DS30 index rose by 54 points. Market breadth remained strongly positive as 367 issues saw a rise in prices, while 15 decline and 11 remained unchanged. Turnover at the DSE jumped by around Tk 400 crore to reach approximately Tk 1,000 crore, up from about Tk 600 crore in the previous session. In the block market, shares worth Tk 38 crore from 38 companies were traded, with GQ Ball Pen Industries Ltd topping the list with transactions worth Tk 9 crore. Among individual performers, Bangas Limited emerged as the top gainer with a 10% rise, while The Dacca Dyeing & Manufacturing Co Ltd was the worst loser, shedding over 1%. Meanwhile, the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also witnessed a strong upward trend, with its benchmark CASPI index soaring by 328 points. Gainers dominated the CSE as well, with 177 issues advancing against 19 decliners, while six remained unchanged. Total turnover at the port city bourse rose to Tk 31 crore, up from Tk 26 crore in the previous session. First Janata Bank Mutual Fund, Regent Textiles Mills Limited and Bangladesh National Insurance Company Limited topped the gainers’ chart with 10% increases, while Summit Power Limited ended as the worst performer, losing over 7%.

Bangladesh’s both major stock exchanges recorded index gains for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, with the majority of listed companies seeing their share prices rise. At the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the benchmark DSEX index climbed 34 points by the close of trade. The Shariah-based DSES index gained 5 points, while the blue-chip DS30 index advanced 16 points. Market breadth remained firmly positive, with 275 companies posting price gains against declines in 70, while 48 companies closed unchanged. Stocks rebound on DSE, CSE after sharp fall; majority issues still decline The turnover at the DSE rose notably, reaching approximately Tk 600 crore in shares and units up from Tk 470 crore recorded in the previous session. In the block market, shares worth Tk 35 crore were traded across 32 companies, with City Insurance PLC leading the segment by offloading shares worth Tk 11 crore. Lovello Ice Cream PLC topped the DSE gainers' chart with a 10% price increase, while Al-Arafah Islami Bank PLC was the worst performer, shedding 5% of its value. At the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE), the overall CASPI index edged down 8 points despite a generally bullish session. A total of 90 companies advanced against 71 decliners, with 22 remaining flat. The turnover at the bourse, however, slipped to Tk 26 crore from Tk 31 crore the previous day. Runner Automobiles PLC led the CSE gainers with a 10% price rise, while Emerald Oil Industries Limited was the biggest loser, falling nearly 10%.

Stocks rebounded on Monday at both the Dhaka and Chittagong bourses following a steep fall in the previous session, although most listed companies still saw price declines. At the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the benchmark DSEX index rose by 10 points, while the blue-chip DS30 index gained 9 points. The Shariah-based DSES index, however, remained unchanged. Despite the index rise, market breadth stayed negative, with 172 issues declining against 149 gainers, while 68 remained unchanged. Turnover at the DSE dropped to Tk 470 crore, down from Tk 511 crore in the previous session. In the block market, shares worth Tk 38 crore from 32 companies were traded, with GQ Ball Pen Industries Ltd leading the turnover chart with Tk 7 crore. Bangladesh Autocars Ltd topped the gainers’ list with nearly 9 percent price appreciation, while Prime Finance and Investment Ltd was the worst loser, shedding around 9.5 percent. The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher, with its benchmark CASPI index gaining 8 points. However, most issues declined there as well, with 86 losers against 63 gainers and 24 unchanged. Turnover at the CSE fell to Tk 31 crore from Tk 43 crore in the previous session. Active Fine Chemicals Ltd emerged as the top gainer on the CSE with around 10 percent increase, while Progati Insurance PLC was the worst loser, losing nearly 10 percent.

Dhaka and Chittagong stock exchanges kicked off the week on a downbeat note on Sunday, with major indices declining and most stocks losing ground in the first hour of trading. At the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the benchmark DSEX index shed 46 points in the opening hour, while the Shariah-based DSES fell 6 points and the blue-chip DS30 index dropped 14 points. Market breadth remained heavily skewed to the downside, with 316 companies recording losses against gains in only 46, while 25 others held steady. The turnover in the first hour crossed Tk 220 crore in shares and units. The bearish sentiment spilled over to the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE), where the broad-based CASPI index tumbled more than 80 points. Of the companies traded, 22 posted gains while 64 declined and 9 remained unchanged. The first-hour turnover at the CSE surpassed Tk 7 crore.

The Dhaka Stock Exchange PLC has set new office hours and a revised trading schedule in line with the government’s energy-saving measures. The new timings will come into effect from Sunday and remain in force until further notice, according to a press release issued on Saturday. As per the revised schedule, office hours will run from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Trading on the bourse will begin at 10:00am, with the continuous trading session continuing until 1:55pm. The post-closing session will take place from 1:55pm to 2:00pm, while the market will officially close at 4:00pm. The move comes as part of broader efforts to tackle the ongoing energy crisis, with banks and other financial institutions also adjusting their office hours in compliance with the government’s directive.

The benchmark index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) declined by 148 points over the week as persistent selling pressure dominated four out of five trading sessions, eroding market capitalisation. According to the DSE’s weekly market pulse, most indices closed lower during the week. The broad index DSEX fell 148 points, while the Shariah-based DSES index dropped 19 points. The blue-chip DS30 index also lost 85 points. However, the SME index advanced by 134 points, reflecting gains in small and medium-sized companies. Market breadth remained negative, with prices falling for 206 issues, while 172 advanced and 12 remained unchanged. Despite the downturn, average daily turnover increased due to heightened selling activity. The DSE recorded an average turnover of Tk 668 crore during the week, up from Tk 531 crore in the previous week, marking a 25.78% rise. Continuous sell-offs led to a nearly 3% decline in market capitalisation over the five trading days. Sector-wise, prices rose in 14 sectors while declined in seven sectors. The banking sector saw a sharp drop of about 38%. Financial institutions declined by 26%, cement by nearly 6%, food and allied by 11%, telecom by 49%, and travel by 7%. On the gaining side, mutual funds posted the highest increase, surging 271%. Engineering rose 145%, paper and printing 157%, and tannery 165%. In terms of turnover, ACME Pesticides Limited topped the chart, followed by Orion Infusion, Summit Alliance Port Limited, Khan Brothers PP Woven Bag Industries Limited, and Brac Bank. In block trading, Al-Arafah Islami Bank PLC led the board with shares worth Tk 18 crore changing hands during the week. IFIC Bank First Mutual Fund emerged as the top performer, delivering a 52% return. In contrast, Far East Finance and Investment Limited was the worst performer, with its return plunging by over 30%.