Bangladesh overtook China in garment exports to the United States during the January-February period of 2026, as China lost its top position amid the impact of American reciprocal tariffs, according to data from the Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) released yesterday.

China is now the third-largest garment exporter to the US, while Vietnam has become the top apparel exporter, with Bangladesh ranking second, the data showed.

In January-February, Bangladesh exported garments worth $1.37 billion, down 8.53 percent compared with the same period last year.

Vietnam exported garments worth $2.7 billion, up 2.88 percent year-on-year.

China, however, exported garments worth $1.17 billion in the same period, posting a negative growth of 57.65 percent compared with January-February 2025.

Overall, the US imported garments worth $11.53 billion during the period, registering a 13.47 percent year-on-year decline.

Nepal’s first billionaire, Binod K Chaudhary, yesterday said Bangladesh and Nepal could significantly deepen economic ties, particularly in energy and cross-border trade, which can be largely facilitated by stronger regional cooperation involving India.

“We would like to enter into a much bigger economic engagement with Bangladesh, but without India playing a positive role, that’s not going to happen,” Chaudhary said at a press conference organised by the International Chamber of Commerce Bangladesh (ICCB) in Dhaka.

The event, held at Platinum Grand in Banani, marked the launch of his book “Made in Nepal: Lessons in Business Building from the Land of Everest.”

Chaudhary pointed to Nepal’s growing hydropower capacity as a concrete opportunity, saying Nepal could develop projects specifically targeting the Bangladeshi market, with India facilitating transmission.

India’s evolving stance on cross-border energy cooperation, he added, offers a window for such initiatives.

This becomes necessary due to geography. As Nepal is a landlocked country, trade of this nature depends largely on India’s cooperation.

Binod Chaudhary controls Nepal’s CG Corp Global. The businessman made it to the Forbes billionaire list in 2013. As of yesterday, Forbes estimated his net worth to be $2.1 billion.

Also speaking at the event, Abdul Awal Mintoo, minister of environment, forest and climate change, referred to classical economic theory to stress the value of neighbouring markets.

Drawing on the ideas mentioned in The Wealth of Nations, a classic work of economist Adam Smith, he argued that a country’s prosperity depends significantly on its ability to trade with its neighbours.

He cautioned that reliance on natural resources alone can not be a sustainable path to growth, noting that many resource-rich countries had struggled while trade-driven economies had fared better.

The minister also said strengthening economic ties with adjacent countries should take precedence over distant partnerships when it comes to boosting trade and long-term growth.

Political considerations, he added, should not be allowed to override the economic logic of regional integration.

He said enhanced connectivity, energy collaboration, and trade integration among South Asian nations could unlock substantial economic opportunities, provided countries prioritise pragmatic partnerships over political constraints.

Nepalese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanshyam Bhandari said the two countries share similar economic challenges and aspirations, making cooperation in trade and investment both natural and necessary.

The longstanding bilateral relationship, he said, is rooted in geographic and economic interdependence, symbolically linked by rivers flowing from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal. He identified stronger engagement between the business communities of the two countries as the practical vehicle for expanding bilateral trade.

The ambassador said Nepal and Bangladesh have the opportunity to define their own economic trajectory through closer regional cooperation, with trade acting as the central pillar of that engagement.

Moderating the event, ICCB President Mahbubur Rahman said businesses in the South Asia region had the potential to compete globally if backed by innovation, long-term vision and sound policy.

Entrepreneurship remains a critical driver of economic growth, particularly for emerging economies like Bangladesh and Nepal, he said. He added that cross-border collaboration and private sector engagement will be crucial in building a more competitive, resilient and globally connected economy in South Asia.

Despite facing liquidation, the shares of scam-hit non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) have surged sharply on the stock exchanges over the past three months.

The five listed NBFIs-FAS Finance, Premier Leasing, Fareast Finance, People's Leasing, and International Leasing-have seen their share prices jump between 238 per cent and 343 per cent during the period, while they have remained largely non-operational for years.

This has happened at a time when many well-performing companies are experiencing price erosion on the back of global geopolitical tensions surrounding the Middle Eastern war.

Market analysts attribute the unusual rally to speculation that the BNP-led government may reconsider or delay the liquidation process.

Earlier, the announcement of the institutions' winding up had sent their stocks plunging below Tk 1 each.

"Speculative trading and short-term profit motives fueled the recent price surge of non-functional NBFIs," said Salim Afzal Shawon, head of research at BRAC EPL Stock Brokerage, in a telephonic conversation with The Financial Express.

He noted that the absence of a clear policy direction from the new government has created optimism among a section of investors, while low share prices have also attracted retail participants.

With share prices reduced to a penny or even less, some investors were inspired to place bets on them to earn quick gains, said Mr Shawon. "Investors in these stocks have taken high-risk bets."

In December last year, the Bangladesh Bank announced the winding up of nine NBFIs-eight of which are listed-marking the first large-scale liquidation in the country's financial sector.

The move aims to protect depositors and restore financial stability, as the institutions have long struggled to repay them due to unsustainable financial conditions stemming from massive irregularities and loan fraud during the previous government.

Although their stocks had long traded far below face value, the central bank's announcement sparked panic, and the shares fell below Tk 1 per share in January this year.

Later, three of the nine firms-Prime Finance, GSP Finance, and Bangladesh Industrial Finance Company (BIFC)-were given six months in January to improve their financial conditions.

Analysts, however, said such low-performing stocks have recently become targets for speculative trading. Manipulators often drive up prices through serial trading and spread rumours to lure general investors.

Md Sajedul Islam, a DSE director, described the rally as "abnormal," blaming price manipulation for the surge in fundamentally weak companies.

"The stock price hike of these junk stocks is unusual considering their current status," said Mr Islam, also managing director of Shyamol Equity Management.

However, he said the government had recently started preparations to compensate small investors of the five banks that merged into Sammilito Islami Bank, which may have drawn investors to put money into these NBFIs in anticipation of getting their money back with profits.

Instructed by the high-ups of the new government, the Financial Institutions Division (FID) is calculating the amount needed to compensate investors who bought shares of the five banks from the stock market.

The mode of payment-whether investors will be compensated based on the prices of shares on the last trading day or at face value-is yet to be finalised.

"The possibility of policy reconsideration by the new government has reignited speculative trading in these stocks," said Mr Islam.

The newly appointed Bangladesh Bank Governor Md Mostakur Rahman, however, said that the initiative to merge the country's weak banks would continue.

But the liquidation process of weak NBFIs under the new governor remains unclear.

Akramul Alam, head of research at Royal Capital, said that given the current financial condition, general investors have little to hope for, as they would be at the bottom of the repayment hierarchy.

In other words, once assets are sold and liabilities are settled, little-or nothing-may remain for ordinary shareholders.

Under liquidation rules, external creditors are paid first, followed by depositors, debenture holders, and preferential shareholders.

"In such insolvency-driven liquidation, shareholders sit at the very bottom of the list of claimants," Alam said.

Collectively, the NBFIs facing liquidation account for 52 per cent of total defaulted loans in the NBFI sector, estimated at Tk 251 billion at the end of 2024.

Except for Prime Finance, all recorded negative net asset values (NAV), ranging from Tk 0.62 to Tk 219.03 per share. This indicates that their liabilities far exceeded their assets, reflecting severe financial distress and poor asset quality.

Shareholders of the NBFIs slated for liquidation may ultimately lose everything unless the government compensates general investors, Mr Alam said.

Ballooning energy cost overruns set budget amid the Gulf crisis as a hefty subsidy worth around Tk 45 billion or US$370 million is sought only to meet LNG-import bills for a single month of April.

Officials say the state-run Petrobangla has placed the subsidy demand with the Ministry of Finance (MoF), as global fuel prices spike and reserves a limited.Energy & Utilities

The April subsidy amount, as sought by the corporation, is more than 50 per cent of the entire subsidy amount worth Tk 89 billion it got from the MoF in the previous fiscal year (FY) 2024-2025.

"We sought the subsidy as we shall be importing eight liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes from volatile spot market out of total nine LNG cargoes we have planned to import in April," Petrobangla director for finance AKM Mizanur Rahman told The Financial Express on April 2.

State-run Rupantarita Prakrtik Gas Company Ltd (RPGCL), a subsidiary of Petrobangla, bought seven LNG cargoes from spot market through tenders and another spot cargo scheduled to be delivered in March has been shifted to April, he said.

The RPGCL, a wholly owned subsidiary of Petrobangla and responsible for LNG trading in Bangladesh, palpably runs a rough course for supply disruptions in the wake of the Mideast mayhem triggered by US-Israel attacks on Iran.

Average LNG-import costs of the eight spot LNG cargoes to be delivered in April range up to around US$21 per million British thermal unit (MMBTu). Hadn't the war happened and the Strait of Hormuz not restricted, Bangladesh would import most of the LNG cargoes from long-term suppliers at a cost of around $9.0 per MMBTu to $11 per MMBTu, he said.Stock market education

Bangladesh imported two LNG cargoes from spot market in March after a hiatus of over two months, to tide over LNG-supply uncertainty stemming from the Middle East war, he mentions.

To foot increased bills for the must-have fuel to supplement the supply of domestic natural gas in March, the Ministry of Finance provided Tk 10 billion to Petrobangla.

"If the war doesn't stop and the Strait of Hormuz remains restricted for Bangladesh-bound LNG cargoes, Petrobangla's subsidy requirement to import LNG in the current fiscal year, or FY 2025-2026 (July-June), might go all-time high," says the Petrobangla official.

Petrobangla had previously received state subsidies worth around Tk 25 billion in FY 2019-2020, Tk 35 billion in FY 2020-2021, Tk 34.97 billion in FY 2021-2022, Tk 60 billion in FY 2022-2022, Tk 63.32 billion in FY 2022-2024, and Tk 89 billion in FY 2024-2025 on account of LNG imports, he says.

Bangladesh had trimmed LNG buys from the spot market until February after starting the import under new long-term sales and purchase agreements, or SPAs, from Qatar and the US from January along with previous suppliers, the official elaborates on the fuel-supply lines.

Riding on LNG supplies from new sources, Petrobangla had a plan to buy only a dozen cargoes from spot market in 2026 compared to the import of 49 spot LNG cargoes in 2025.Wealth management services

But halt in delivery from the long-term suppliers and a couple of short-term suppliers of Saudi Arabia and Oman forced Petrobangla to go for LNG purchases from spot market extensively.

Delivery of a total of eight LNG cargoes has so far been affected for Bangladesh due to the 'force majeure' by the long-term LNG suppliers as well as restrictions on the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, he mentions.

Since Bangladesh's LNG imports began in 2018, the country has imported approximately 35.878 million tonnes (mt) of LNG through 579 cargoes as of February 2026, according to RPGCL data.

Bangladesh's overall natural gas supplies currently hover around 2.53 billion cubic feet per day, inclusive of 822 million cubic feet per day of regasified LNG, according to official Petrobangla data as of March 30.

The ongoing Middle East tensions and uncertainty surrounding the country's fuel supply have weighed heavily on the capital market, as weak investor confidence led to a return of downward momentum throughout last week, with broad-based selling pressure across most sectors.

The market remained on a negative trajectory from the very beginning of the week. The index declined in each of the first three trading sessions, further heightening investor concerns. Midweek, some investors engaged in bargain hunting, resulting in a temporary positive movement in the index.

However, the recovery was short-lived, as momentum quickly faded in the absence of strong positive news or policy support.

By the end of the week, the benchmark DSEX shed 149 points to close at 5,220. The blue-chip DS30 decreased by 86 points to 1,980, while the Shariah-based DSES dropped 20 points to 1,060. The DSE SME Index (DSMEX) rose by 134 points to close at 1,065.

Despite this gloomy week, average turnover increased by 25.78% to Tk668 crore, compared to Tk531 crore in the previous week. Total weekly turnover rose to Tk3,342 crore, up from Tk2,657 crore a week earlier. Market capitalisation decreased by 2.48%, reaching Tk689,399.86 crore, down from Tk706,912.58 crore the previous week.

Of the 412 issues traded at DSE, 172 advanced, 206 declined, 12 remained unchanged, and 22 were not traded.

According to market analysts, global instability and fears of a potential energy crisis are influencing investment decisions. Additionally, comments from the government about restructuring the stock market have prompted a segment of investors to stay on the sidelines.

Meanwhile, remarks by the Bangladesh Bank governor regarding non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) created fresh volatility in shares of some companies in the sector.

Governor Md Mostakim Rahman recently said the finance ministry would provide the required funds to complete the liquidation process. The statement reinforced expectations that the authorities are moving decisively to wind down several financially weak NBFIs.

Taken together, investors are currently in a wait-and-see mode. Analysts are not optimistic about near-term stability unless there is an improvement in fuel supply, easing of global tensions, or clear policy direction from the government regarding the stock market.

The prolonged decline has also increased frustration among retail investors, many of whom are calling for swift and effective measures to restore confidence in the market.

In its weekly market review, EBL Securities said the capital bourse reverted to its losing streak this week, with investor sentiment weighed down by the ongoing Middle East crisis and prevailing uncertainties over domestic fuel shortages, prompting broad-based sell-offs across the trading board.

The index lost points during the first three sessions of the week, and although a brief bout of bargain hunting provided a temporary rebound, momentum quickly faded in the absence of any decisive positive catalyst.

Investors were primarily active in the pharmaceutical sector, which accounted for 16.6% of total turnover, followed by the engineering sector at 12.4% and the textile sector at 9.8%.

However, most sectors posted negative returns. The travel sector recorded the largest loss at 3.9%, followed by financial institutions at 3.6% and the cement sector at 3.3%, making them the worst-performing sectors of the week.

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has suspended Assistant Director Md Ibrahim Ali over allegations of misconduct and launched departmental proceedings against him.

A commission order issued today (4 April) stated that Ibrahim Ali faces charges of breach of discipline, conduct unbecoming of a public servant, and other actions deemed inappropriate for a BSEC employee. A formal inquiry has already been initiated to examine the allegations.

This follows a series of disciplinary actions at the commission. In April last year, 21 officials were suspended over alleged breaches of conduct, reportedly creating fear and demoralisation among staff.

The commission noted that, under the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission Employees Service Rules, 2021, proven charges may lead to severe penalties, including Ibrahim's dismissal. Considering the seriousness of the case, the BSEC decided to place him under suspension to ensure a fair and impartial investigation.

During this period, he will receive a subsistence allowance as per government regulations. The order took immediate effect in the public interest, with further disciplinary measures to follow based on the inquiry's outcome.

In January, former BSEC Director Abu Raihan Mohammad Mutasim Billah was compulsorily retired after being proven to have misconduct. Allegations included misusing advance funds for house construction, submitting false progress reports, presenting incomplete bills, and seeking extra funds for interior work.

A 27 November 2025 investigation substantiated multiple claims, prompting disciplinary action at the 987th commission meeting.

Bangladesh faces three major economic challenges – an inherited fragile economy, low revenue collection, and rising expenditure due to the Middle East war, Finance and Planning Adviser Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has said.

"We aim to address these challenges by increasing investment, boosting employment, and raising domestic revenue," he said today (1 April), while responding to journalists after a meeting with National Board of Revenue (NBR) officials at the Revenue Building in Agargaon.

He said the government aims to revive the fragile economy by creating an investment-friendly environment instead of relying on borrowing and printing money.

"The government is shifting its focus from a debt-driven economy to an investment-led one," he reiterated.

The government will move away from excessive money printing to keep the economy stable, the adviser added.

"Strengthening the economy is essential to increase the tax-to-GDP ratio, and both local and foreign investment will be the main drivers of that strength," he said.

To restore investor confidence, the adviser said frequent policy changes would be avoided.

"Policies will remain stable for a defined period to allow long-term planning," he said.

"The government will move towards deregulation to ease investment," he added.

Bangladesh Bank has enlisted seven Cost and Management Accountant (CMA) firms to conduct audits of applications for export subsidies and cash incentives, according to a central bank directive issued today (1 April).

In a circular issued to all authorised dealer banks, the central bank said each approved CMA firm may undertake auditing assignments for up to three banks in a given financial year.

The seven approved CMA firms are A. Hannan & Co, Hossain & Co, Mujibur Rahman & Co, Podder & Associates, Safe‑Q Associates & Co, Saifur Enayet & Associates and SAM & Associates.

Previously, only chartered accountant firms were permitted to carry out these audits.

Bangladesh Bank expects the move will help ensure greater transparency in the distribution of export incentives and speed up the audit process.

Oil prices climbed more than $4 on Thursday after President Donald Trump said the United States would continue to attack Iran, including energy and oil targets over the next few weeks, and did not commit to a specific timeline to end the war.

Brent crude futures rose $4.88, or 4.8%, to $106.04 per barrel by 0200 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up $4.17, or 4.2%, to $104.29 per barrel.

The gains come after both benchmarks had fallen more than $1 earlier on Thursday ahead of Trump's speech and had settled lower in the previous session.

Trump said in a televised speech to the nation that the US military had nearly completed its goals in its war with Iran, and that the conflict would soon be ending, but gave no specific timeline.

"We are going to finish the job, and we're going to finish it very fast. We're getting very close," he said.

Threats to maritime traffic have grown as the conflict intensifies across the region. Most recently on Wednesday, an oil tanker leased to QatarEnergy was hit by an Iranian cruise missile in Qatari waters, its defence ministry said.

The head of the International Energy Agency cautioned on Wednesday that supply disruptions will start to impact Europe's economy in April. The continent had previously been shielded by cargoes contracted before the war started.

The dollar largely held steady on Wednesday as investors grew cautiously optimistic about prospects ​for a ceasefire in the Middle East conflict, though mixed signals kept markets on edge.

The yen has recovered from this year's ‌low of 160.46 per dollar, moving back through the psychologically important 160 level that had fanned concerns about intervention by Japanese authorities. The euro hit more than a one-week high.

"Looking at the market as a whole, expectations for a ceasefire are basically rising, so I think the reversal of the long-running 'buy dollars, sell yen' trade is likely to ​continue," said Sho Suzuki, market analyst at Matsui Securities.

Still, Suzuki added the move has not become a one-way shift into the yen ​gaining momentum due to concerns that the conflict may not wind down easily.

The dollar index , which measures the greenback ⁠against a basket of currencies including the yen and the euro, was last down 0.03 percent at 99.70, slipping to a one-week low. The euro edged ​up 0.2 percent at $1.1574.

The Japanese yen was flat against the greenback at 158.63 per dollar. Sterling strengthened 0.29 percent to $1.3261.

The White House said US President Donald Trump would ​address the nation "to provide an important update on Iran" at 9 p.m. EDT on Wednesday (0100 GMT on Thursday). The president said earlier in the day the US could end its military campaign against Iran within two to three weeks, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox News Washington could see the "finish line" in the Iran war.

At the same time, ​there were signs of escalation in the conflict. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the next few days in the war against Iran would be ​decisive and warned Tehran that the conflict would intensify if it did not make a deal.

The Wall Street Journal also reported the United Arab Emirates is preparing to help ‌the US ⁠and other allies open the key Strait of Hormuz waterway by force. The Israel Defense Forces said a surface-to-air missile downed an Israeli military drone during operational activity in southern Lebanon overnight, and missiles and drones continued to strike across the Gulf.

Stocks staged a strong comeback today (1 April), with the benchmark Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) index posting a sharp gain after the government decided against raising fuel prices despite ongoing global energy market volatility.

The DSEX index surged 94 points, or 1.82%, to close at 5,272, recovering from a recent downturn linked to Middle East tensions. The blue-chip DS30 index also rose 41 points to settle at 2,001, reflecting renewed buying interest in fundamentally strong stocks.

Market activity turned decisively positive, with 327 advancing issues against 39 decliners, while 25 remained unchanged. Turnover rose significantly to Tk720 crore, and overall market capitalisation increased by around Tk4,000 crore.

Analysts and participants attributed the rally to improved investor sentiment following the government's decision, which eased fears of inflationary pressures and rising business costs.

EBL Securities noted the rebound came after three consecutive sessions of losses, driven by broad-based bargain hunting. Buying pressure intensified throughout the day, leading to widespread price appreciation across sectors.

Sector-wise, pharmaceuticals dominated turnover at 16.4%, followed by engineering and textile sectors at 11.3% each. Top turnover leaders included Orion Infusion, Summit Alliance Port, Khan Brothers PP Woven Bag, Acme Pesticides, and City Bank, highlighting diversified participation.

All major sectors posted gains, with mutual funds leading at 4.9%, services up 3.6%, and general insurance rising 3.1%. Silva Pharma topped the gainers' list with a 10% rise, followed by Bangladesh National Insurance and Apex Spinning. Several mutual funds, including EBL NRB Mutual Fund and First Bangladesh Fixed Income Fund, were also among the top performers.

The financial sector, however, faced some pressure, with Peoples Leasing, Fareast Finance, and International Leasing among the top losers.

The positive trend was mirrored at the Chittagong Stock Exchange, where the CSCX index rose 118 points to 9,021, and the CASPI index gained 200 points to 14,779, with turnover at Tk42.51 crore.

Bangladesh’s financial sector achieved a historic milestone as remittance inflows surged to a record-breaking US$3.75 billion in March 2026, the highest monthly figure ever recorded in the nation’s history.Bangladesh stock alerts

According to data released by Bangladesh Bank today, the March 2026 performance represents a significant leap over previous peaks, comfortably eclipsing the prior record of $3.29 billion established in March 2025.

In March 2026, global remittance performance reached the record high of $3.75 billion, surpassing the previous high-water marks of $3.29 billion in March 2025 and $3.22 billion in December 2025.

This unprecedented surge reflects a broader stabilization and growth trajectory that gained significant momentum following the political transition in late 2024.

The national economy has observed a sustained upward trend in remittance inflows since August 2024, following the fall of the previous Awami League government. These inflows have demonstrated remarkable resilience in recent months, remaining strong despite geopolitical volatility and ongoing unrest in parts of the Middle East, a primary hub for the Bangladeshi expatriate workforce.

Bangladesh Bank officials have attributed this surge in formal inflows to a series of strategic regulatory interventions and more rigorous oversight.

The central bank has focused on ensuring that foreign earnings are processed through legitimate financial institutions to bolster the national reserve.

Hotel and restaurant owners have said they still need to visit VAT offices and "negotiate" with officials, despite the National Board of Revenue (NBR) introducing the online VAT return submission system.

The allegation was raised during a pre-budget meeting held today at the NBR headquarters.

Khaled Ur Rahman, former president of the Bangladesh International Hotel Association, said, "VAT officers treat us like thieves, even though we want to help the government collect revenue. Their behaviour should be professional."

Imran Hassan, secretary general of the Bangladesh Restaurant Owners Association, said many hotels, restaurants, and street food vendors remain outside the VAT net, creating unfair competition for compliant businesses.

He alleged that large, unregistered businesses evade VAT, sometimes with officials benefiting personally. "A well-known restaurant in Uttara sells over 1,000 kilograms of beef daily but remains outside VAT registration. Officers take money from them."

The NBR chairman, presiding over the meeting, rejected claims that the online system is ineffective, stating that once VAT returns are submitted online, visiting offices is unnecessary. He instructed officials to behave professionally, but also questioned whether businesses themselves are evading VAT.

Sharing his own experience, he said he bought sweets twice from the Dhanmondi outlet of Noni Sweets without receiving VAT receipts. When he asked, the staff claimed their EFD machine was out of order. Noni Gopal Ghosh, the owner, was present at the meeting.

The meeting also saw industry requests to reduce import taxes on alcohol to boost tourism, lower minimum taxes on beverages, and withdraw supplementary duty on bottled water. Representatives from 10 organisations shared their proposals during the session.

In another development, officials from the National Board of Revenue (NBR) have indicated that the 7.5% advance tax on newsprint imports for the newspaper industry may be withdrawn.

A senior official told The Business Standard the proposal was presented to the finance minister during a pre-budget meeting yesterday, and the minister responded positively.

The move follows a request by the Newspaper Owners' Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) to reduce or remove import duties and taxes on newsprint. Although the tax is refundable later, industry representatives have long raised concerns over the complex refund process.

Nitol Insurance PLC, a listed insurer on the stock exchange, has recommended a 10% cash dividend for its shareholders for 2025.

In 2024, the company paid a 10% dividend, comprising 5% stock and 5% cash, according to company data.

Following the declaration, its share price today (1 April) surged by 3.66%, or Tk1, to Tk28.30 at the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE).

According to a disclosure published yesterday (31 March) on the stock exchange website, its earnings per share (EPS) declined to Tk1.93 for 2025, from Tk1.97 in the previous year.

Its net asset value per share stood at Tk31.30 and net operating cash flow per share at Tk0.28, compared to Tk31.33 and Tk0.22, respectively, in 2024.

The insurer has called its annual general meeting (AGM) on 12 July through a digital platform. The record date has been fixed for 10 May to determine eligible shareholders, the disclosure said.

Nitol Insurance was listed on the stock exchanges in 2005.

As of February, sponsor-directors held 35% of its shares, institutional investors 25.93%, and the general public 39.07%, according to available data.

The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) yesterday approved the import of another 2.6 lakh tonnes of fuel oil, as the government moves to safeguard national energy reserves against the backdrop of the US-Israel war on Iran.

The committee authorised the direct purchase of 1 lakh tonnes of crude oil from Abeer Trade & Global Markets. The government opted for a direct procurement route, bypassing the standard competitive tender process, citing urgent domestic energy requirements amid the continuing US-Israel war on Iran.

The conflict has introduced significant uncertainty into global oil shipping corridors, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, through which a substantial share of Asia-bound crude transits.

To mitigate supply chain risks, the government is also diversifying fuel imports as traditional shipping routes face disruption and fears of nationwide shortages grow amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

The CCGP yesterday approved the import of one lakh tonnes of EN590-10 PPM ultra-low sulphur diesel from ExxonMobil Kazakhstan Inc (EMKI) via direct purchase.

A further 60,000 tonnes of 0.5 percent sulphur gasoil (diesel) will be imported from Indonesia’s state-linked PT Bumi Siak Pusako Zapin (BSP Zapin) under a government-to-government (G2G) framework.

Earlier on March 26, the government authorised the emergency purchase of 3 lakh tonnes of diesel following two proposals from the Energy and Mineral Resources Division.

Before that, on March 22, the government wrote to the United States, requesting permission to import up to 6 lakh tonnes of refined fuel from Russia or, alternatively, to obtain a waiver for at least two months, according to the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources.

Since the war started, Bangladesh has also received some 17,000 tonnes of diesel from India under an existing arrangement. Two additional shipments, each estimated at around 6,000 tonnes, are expected from Indonesia.

For the agriculture sector, the CCGP yesterday approved the import of 35,000 tonnes of MOP fertiliser from Russia’s JSC Foreign Economic Corporation (Prodintorg).

The procurement, to be implemented by the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC), is valued at Tk 154.89 crore, with each tonne priced at $360.53.

While 10 proposals were placed before the committee, several, including the procurement of pulses and telecom equipment for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, were withdrawn.

Gold prices rose on Wednesday to their highest in nearly two weeks, supported by a weaker dollar following US President Donald Trump’s statement that the war with Iran could wind down ​in weeks.

Spot gold rose 1 percent to $4,717.82 per ounce by 0712 GMT, its highest level ​since March 20. US gold futures for April delivery gained 1.4 percent to $4,744.30. The US dollar fell 0.4 percent, making bullion more affordable for holders of other currencies.

Trump said Tehran did ​not have to make a deal as a prerequisite for the conflict to wind down ​and that he would provide an update on Iran in an address at 9 pm EDT on Wednesday (0100 GMT on Thursday).

“Talks that the US might wrap up the war in two to three weeks even if the ​Strait (of Hormuz) is not reopened reinvigorated the US equity markets (overnight) and pulled gold higher along ​with it,” said Marex analyst Edward Meir.

Gold fell more than 11 percent in March in its steepest monthly ‌decline since October 2008 as elevated oil prices fuelled inflation concerns and bets of a hawkish monetary policy response. Oil prices gained on Wednesday despite hopes of a de-escalation in the Iran conflict, as infrastructure damage is likely to keep supplies tight.

“Market remains cautious about over-interpreting the de-escalation remark ​as a clean pivot... ​We’ve already seen ⁠multiple rounds where talks appeared constructive before stalling,” said Christopher Wong, a strategist at OCBC.

Traders have almost completely priced out any chance of ​a US rate cut this year from about two cuts expected before ​the war.

While ⁠gold is often used as a hedge against inflation and geopolitical risks, high interest rates make the non-yielding bullion less attractive among investors.

“Should geopolitical tensions de-escalate further, then expectations for Fed easing ⁠could return. ​In such a scenario, real yields can ease, providing ​support for gold,” said Wong of OCBC.

Oil tumbled more than 3 percent on Wednesday, reversing earlier gains as persistent Middle East volatility ‌unnerved markets even amid reports the US-Israeli war with Iran could be winding down.

The front-month Brent contract for June fell $3.33, or 3.2 percent, to $100.64 per barrel at 0641 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures for May slipped $3.34, or 3.3 percent, to $98.04 per barrel.

Prices rose earlier on Wednesday but turned lower as ​uncertainty over the Middle East conflict prompted investors to lock in gains.

“The dip is likely due to ​a lull during Asian hours with profit taking amid signals from the US that the ⁠war may come to a conclusion in the near term,” said Emril Jamil, senior analyst at LSEG.

Brent futures ​for June delivery settled down more than $3 on Tuesday following unconfirmed media reports that Iran’s president was ready to end ​the war.

President Donald Trump told reporters on Tuesday that the US could end the military campaign within two to three weeks and that Iran does not have to make a deal to end the conflict, his clearest declaration yet that he wants to wind down ​the month-long war.

Still, even if the conflict ends, infrastructure damage is likely to keep supplies tight, analysts say.

Oil prices ​will depend on how quickly supply chains normalize afterwards, said Priyanka Sachdeva, senior market analyst at Phillip Nova.

“Even if it starts ‌to de-escalate, ⁠the flow of tankers won’t resume right away ... shipping costs and insurance, tanker movement will take time to return to normal,” Sachdeva said, adding that the actual damage to oil infrastructure could only be assessed afterwards.

Trump has indicated he could end the war before reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a key route through which 20 percent of global ​oil and liquefied natural gas ​trade flows, according to ⁠a Wall Street Journal report.

“Even with diplomatic channels reportedly still active and intermittent comments from the US administration predicting a short end to the conflict, the combination of limited ​tangible diplomatic progress, continued maritime attacks and explicit threats against energy assets keeps supply ​risks skewed to ⁠the upside,” LSEG analysts said in a note.

Opec oil output dropped 7.3 million barrels per day in March compared with the previous month, a Reuters survey showed on Tuesday, illustrating the impact of forced export cuts because of the closure ⁠of ​the strait.

Meanwhile, US crude oil output fell by the most in two years ​in January following a severe winter storm that knocked production offline in large swathes of the country, data from the Energy Information Administration ​showed on Tuesday.

British American Tobacco (BAT) Bangladesh, a listed multinational company, has incurred Tk714.58 crore in restructuring and relocation costs, with the largest portion – Tk375 crore –stemming from fixed asset impairment, according to its auditor.

In an emphasis of matter in the audited financial statements for 2025, the auditor noted that these developments indicate significant operational changes during the year.

In June last year, BAT Bangladesh decided to shut down operations at its Dhaka factory after the Supreme Court rejected its appeal to extend the land lease agreement. The company also relocated its head office from Mohakhali DOHS to Ashulia in Savar.

Following the decision, the company approved an investment of approximately Tk297 crore to expand production capacity at its Savar facility.

In a disclosure accompanying its 2025 annual dividend announcement, BAT Bangladesh said that operations at the Dhaka factory were shut down in July 2025, and plant, machinery, and cigarette manufacturing equipment were transferred to its Savar factory.

The company said the forced site closure, relocation, and restructuring had a one-off impact of around Tk715 crore on operating profit compared to the previous year.

According to company data, BAT Bangladesh reported a loss of Tk136 crore in the October-December quarter of 2025, reflecting a sharp deterioration in earnings amid declining cigarette sales and rising operating costs.

For the full year, earnings per share (EPS) stood at Tk10.81, marking a 67% decline year-on-year.

The sharp drop in profitability prompted the board to recommend a 30% cash dividend for 2025, significantly lower than the 300% cash dividend declared in 2024.

BRAC Bank PLC has decided to surrender its trustee registration for mutual funds to comply with updated regulations, a move that could have wider implications for the country's struggling fund management industry.

The bank, acting in its capacity as a trustee, has submitted an application to Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission seeking formal approval for the surrender, according to officials.

Shaheen Iqbal, additional managing director and head of Wholesale Banking at the bank, confirmed the development, saying a public notice has already been published to inform stakeholders of the decision to surrender the trustee licence.

Under the latest mutual fund regulations, banks are no longer allowed to act as both custodian and trustee for the same fund. BRAC Bank, which has primarily operated as a custodian and never served as a trustee, said it will continue focusing on that role to remain fully compliant with regulatory directives.

Market data shows several institutions—including Eastern Bank PLC, Agrani Bank, Investment Corporation of Bangladesh and Grameen Bank—currently act as trustees for mutual funds in Bangladesh.

Industry insiders have expressed concern over the move, noting that BRAC Bank's exit from the trustee segment could weaken confidence, given its reputation for strong governance and transparency.

They argue that the withdrawal of a credible institution from the trustee segment could further dent confidence in an industry already grappling with longstanding challenges.

The mutual fund sector has been under pressure in recent years due to allegations of malpractice and fund mismanagement, eroding investor trust and dragging down asset values.

Currently, Bangladesh has 38 closed-end and 90 open-end mutual funds in operation. The total asset base of closed-end funds stands at around Tk4,650 crore, while open-end funds account for Tk4,978 crore. Combined, the sector's value fell to Tk9,628 crore in FY2024–25, down from Tk10,729 crore a year earlier.

বাংলাদেশ ক্যাপিটাল মার্কেট সেন্টিমেন্ট সার্ভে ২০২৬-এ অংশগ্রহণকারীদের মতামতে বিষয়টি উঠে এসেছে। লংকাবাংলা সিকিউরিটিজ এ সার্ভে পরিচালনা করেছে। এতে বিভিন্ন প্রতিষ্ঠানের প্রধান নির্বাহী, পেশাজীবী, শেয়ার লেনদেনে সংশ্লিষ্ট নির্বাহী, ক্ষুদ্র বিনিয়োগকারী, স্বতন্ত্র ব্যবসাপ্রতিষ্ঠান, ছাত্রসহ অন্যান্য শ্রেণীর মানুষ মতামত দিয়েছেন।
বাংলাদেশ ক্যাপিটাল মার্কেট সেন্টিমেন্ট সার্ভে ২০২৬-এ দেশের অর্থনীতি, পুঁজিবাজার ও আর্থিক বাজারের বিভিন্ন বিষয়ে অংশগ্রহণকারীরা তাদের মতামত তুলে ধরেছেন। এতে দেশের অর্থনীতি নিয়ে একধরনের মিশ্র ও সতর্ক আশাবাদ প্রকাশ করা হয়েছে। ২৯ দশমিক ৭ শতাংশ উত্তরদাতার মতে, জিডিপি প্রবৃদ্ধি ৪ দশমিক ৫ থেকে ৫ দশমিক ৫ শতাংশের মধ্যে থাকবে। রেমিট্যান্স ও রিজার্ভ নিয়ে তারা ইতিবাচক ধারণা পোষণ করেছেন। ৩৯ দশমিক ৬ শতাংশ মনে করেন, রেমিট্যান্স ৩০ বিলিয়ন ডলার ছাড়িয়ে যাবে এবং ৪৭ দশমিক ৫ শতাংশ মনে করেন, বৈদেশিক মুদ্রার রিজার্ভ ৩০ বিলিয়ন ডলারের বেশি হবে।

৫৬ দশমিক ৪ শতাংশ উত্তরদাতার মতে, রাজনৈতিক ও প্রশাসনিক অনিশ্চয়তা হলো অর্থনীতির সবচেয়ে বড় ঝুঁকি। এছাড়া মূল্যস্ফীতি ও আর্থিক অস্থিরতাকেও বড় চ্যালেঞ্জ হিসেবে দেখা হচ্ছে। ৪৪ দশমিক ৬ শতাংশ মনে করেন ব্যাংক খাতের সংস্কার কিছুটা উন্নতি ঘটিয়েছে। যুবকদের কর্মসংস্থান এবং দুর্নীতি দমনকে ২০২৬ সালের প্রধান সংস্কারের ক্ষেত্র হিসেবে চিহ্নিত করা হয়েছে।

উত্তরদাতাদের বড় একটি অংশ ২৭ দশমিক ৭ শতাংশ আশা করছেন, ডিএসইএক্স সূচক ২০২৬ সাল শেষে ৫ হাজার ৫০০ থেকে ৬ হাজার পয়েন্টে গিয়ে দাঁড়াবে। দৈনিক গড় লেনদেন ৪০০-৬০০ কোটি টাকার মধ্যে থাকার সম্ভাবনা বেশি। পুঁজিবাজারে প্রবৃদ্ধির ক্ষেত্রে ব্যাংক খাত সবচেয়ে এগিয়ে থাকবে বলে মনে করছেন ৪৬ দশমিক ৫ শতাংশ উত্তরদাতা। এর পরেই রয়েছে ওষুধ ও রসায়ন এবং তথ্যপ্রযুক্তি খাত। ৪১ দশমিক ৬ শতাংশ উত্তরদাতা সাধারণ শেয়ার বা ইকুইটিকে সেরা সম্পদ হিসেবে মনে করছেন। এছাড়া ২৬ দশমিক ৭ শতাংশ উত্তরদাতা স্বর্ণে বিনিয়োগকে লাভজনক মনে করছেন। রাজনৈতিক ঝুঁকি (৪৩ দশমিক ৬ শতাংশ) এবং সুশাসনের অভাবকে (২৩ দশমিক ৮ শতাংশ) পুঁজিবাজারে বিদেশী বিনিয়োগ আসার পথে প্রধান বাধা হিসেবে মনে করছেন উত্তরদাতারা।

জরিপে অংশগ্রহণকারী ৬১ দশমিক ৪ শতাংশ উত্তরদাতা বিশ্বাস করেন, ২০২৫ সালের তুলনায় ২০২৬ সালে পুঁজিবাজারের স্বচ্ছতা ও সততা বাড়বে। ৪১ দশমিক ৬ শতাংশ মনে করেন, বাজার কারসাজি ও জালিয়াতি হলো বর্তমান বাজারের সবচেয়ে বড় নৈতিক সমস্যা। বিনিয়োগকারীদের আস্থা ফেরাতে আর্থিক প্রতিবেদনের স্বচ্ছতা (৩১ দশমিক ৭ শতাংশ) এবং আইনের কঠোর প্রয়োগের (২৮ দশমিক ৭ শতাংশ) ওপর সবচেয়ে বেশি গুরুত্ব দিয়েছেন উত্তরদাতারা। প্রায় ৪৬ দশমিক ৫ শতাংশ উত্তরদাতা মনে করেন, ইটিএফ, গ্রিন বন্ড ও রিয়েল এস্টেট ইনভেস্টমেন্ট ট্রাস্টের মতো নতুন পণ্য বাজারে আসা অত্যন্ত জরুরি।