The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) has sought expressions of interest (EOIs) from qualified audit firms to update its panel of auditors eligible to audit brokerage houses' financial statements.

In a notice, the bourse asked interested firms to submit their EOIs by 16 August to be considered for enlistment on its auditor panel.

The move follows auditor enlistment guidelines approved by the DSE last year to strengthen oversight of brokerage firms and improve transparency in line with the Securities and Exchange Rules, 2020.

Under the guidelines, brokerage firms must appoint statutory auditors from the DSE-approved panel.

DSE Managing Director Nuzhat Anwar said the bourse plans to update its existing panel of auditors for brokerage firms.

"International best practice involves updating audit panels regularly, as some auditors may join the list while others may be excluded in alignment with the regulator's panel," she said.

She said the DSE was also considering a more compact auditor panel under the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC).

"Once this pool of auditors is established, market intermediaries and companies will select auditors from the approved list," she added.

The DSE guidelines require the bourse to seek EOIs from qualified audit firms through its website within the first month of each financial year to update its panel.

Under the guidelines, brokerage firms may appoint an auditor from the panel for up to three consecutive years, subject to approval at their annual general meetings.

Auditors already enlisted with Bangladesh Bank and the BSEC may be included in the DSE panel.

BB and BSEC currently maintain separate auditor panels for banks and non-bank financial institutions, and listed companies, respectively.

The DSE first formed its auditor panel in June 2021 with 61 audit firms, including auditors enlisted by BB and BSEC and six additional firms.

Under the updated guidelines, an auditor will be barred from the panel if it is delisted by BB or BSEC, fails to secure enlistment with the Financial Reporting Council, or is found involved in unethical practices.

An auditor may also be barred if the financial statements of a stockbroker or dealer are found to have been prepared in violation of laws or securities regulations or fail to present a true and fair view of the firm's financial position.

Stocks on the Dhaka bourse fell last week as persistent domestic and geopolitical uncertainties continued to weigh on investor sentiment, triggering broad-based selling despite a recent cut in the central bank's policy rate.

The benchmark DSEX index dropped 34 points over the week to close at 5,860, while the blue-chip DS30 index fell 25 points to settle at 2,191. Of the issues traded, 188 advanced, 179 declined and 22 remained unchanged.

Despite the weak index performance, trading activity picked up. The average daily turnover rose 11.50% week-on-week to Tk1,181 crore, indicating that investors remained active even as risk appetite weakened.

According to EBL Securities, the market started the week on a subdued note as the DSEX struggled to sustain its position above the 5,900-point level. The central bank's first policy rate cut in nearly two years failed to ease prevailing concerns among investors.

Selling pressure intensified amid continued energy shortages and tensions in the Middle East. The uncertainties kept the market largely range-bound despite monetary easing and government measures aimed at addressing the fuel crisis.

Bargain hunters briefly returned to momentum-driven and insurance stocks, helping the market recover some of its earlier losses. However, the rebound lacked enough strength to sustain the broader market.

Renewed buying interest in mutual funds also emerged following the regulator's guidelines on mutual fund conversion. Still, cautious investors remained largely on the sidelines towards the end of the week, with profit-taking and subdued risk appetite outweighing selective buying.

Sector-wise, textile stocks dominated turnover, accounting for 22.1% of total weekly turnover, followed by general insurance at 14% and pharmaceuticals at 11.5%.

Mutual funds posted the highest sectoral gain, rising 4.9%, followed by general insurance and life insurance, which gained 3% and 2.9%, respectively. In contrast, food stocks declined 2.8%, ceramics fell 1.6% and cement dropped 1.3%.

Fareast Finance led the weekly gainers, surging 31.6%, followed by Tung Hai Knitting at 28.6%, GBB Power at 27.7%, International Leasing at 25% and FAS Finance at 20.8%.

S Alam Cold Rolled Steels was the biggest loser, declining 9.3%, followed by Sena Insurance, Apex Spinning, Orion Infusion and Argon Denim, which fell 8.8%, 7.6%, 7.4% and 7%, respectively.

The equity benchmark index failed to sustain last week's rebound, shedding some of its gains to close the holiday-shortened week lower as persistent domestic and geopolitical uncertainties weighed on investor confidence, triggering broad-based sell-offs and curbing risk appetite despite the government's continued focus on economic development.
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The week began on a subdued note, with the benchmark index struggling to hold above the 5,900-point mark as investor sentiment remained fragile.

The central bank's first policy rate cut in nearly two years failed to provide the boost investors had hoped for, according to market analysts.

Selling pressure intensified amid persistent domestic energy shortages and heightened tensions in the Middle East, adding to market uncertainty. Consequently, the market remained largely range-bound despite monetary easing and government measures to address the fuel crisis.

Bargain hunters briefly returned to selected momentum-driven stocks and insurance issues, helping the market recover some of its earlier losses. However, the rebound lacked sufficient momentum to lift the broader market sustainably, according to a market review by EBL Securities.

Meanwhile, the regulator's guidelines on mutual fund conversion revived buying interest in the sector, which emerged as one of the week's strongest performers, it said.

Nevertheless, investors remained largely cautious towards the end of the week. Profit-taking, subdued risk appetite and persistent uncertainty outweighed selective buying interest, leaving the market lower for the week.

Subsequently, of the four trading sessions during the week, three sessions remained almost flat while the last session ended sharply lower. Wednesday was a public holiday due to July Mass Uprising Day.

DSEX, the benchmark index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) finally settled the week more than 34 points or 0.59 per cent lower at 5,861 points. It gained 91 points in the previous week.

The DS30 index, which tracks blue-chip stocks, fell 25 points to 2,192, and the Shariah-based DSES index went down 14 points to 1,181.

Selective heavyweight stocks, including British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATBC), Beximco Pharmaceuticals, Islami Bank, Al-Arafah Islami Bank and UCB accounted for nearly two-thirds of the benchmark index's weekly loss.

Trading activity, however, remained resilient. While total turnover on the Dhaka bourse stood at Tk 47.27 billion during the week, down from Tk 52.99 billion a week earlier, average daily turnover rose 11.5 per cent to Tk 11.81 billion from Tk 10.59 billion in the previous week, as this week saw four trading sessions instead of regular five.

Textile sector accounted for the largest share of weekly turnover at 22.1 per cent, followed by general insurance with 14 per cent and pharmaceuticals with 11.5 per cent.

Market breadth was positive, as 188 issues gained, 179 declined and 22 remained unchanged on the DSE.

Sectoral performance was mixed during the week. Mutual funds led the gainers with a 4.9 per cent rise, followed by general insurance at 3.0 per cent and life insurance at 2.9 per cent.

On the other hand, food sector recorded the steepest decline, falling 2.8 per cent, followed by ceramics at 1.6 per cent. Cement stocks also came under pressure, declining 1.3 per cent during the week.

Small-cap stocks kept dominance on the turnover list with Sharp Industries PLC becoming the most-traded stocks, with shares worth Tk 300.3 million changing hands, followed by Summit Alliance Port Limited, Malek Spinning Mills, Saiham Textile Mills and ACME Pesticides.

Fareast Finance & Investment Limited was the week's top gainer, soaring 31.60 per cent while S. Alam Cold Rolled Steels Ltd. was the worst loser, shedding 9.30 per cent.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended the week lower with its All Share Price Index (CASPI) shedding 35 points to settle at 15,725 while the Selective Categories Index (CSCX) fell 36 points to close at 9,581.

Robi Axiata PLC, one of the country's largest telecom operators, said it has invested Tk9,331.36 crore in network expansion over the past five years since making its capital market debut in 2020, boosting its digital infrastructure and driving operational growth.

Supported by this investment, the company has delivered consistent profit growth since listing, enabling it to pay handsome dividends to shareholders.

Robi raised Tk523.79 crore through its initial public offering (IPO) in late 2020.

Although it initially skipped a dividend payout for that year, it later revised its decision and declared a 5% cash dividend. Since then, the operator has consistently paid dividends, with payouts growing alongside its increasing profitability.

At a media briefing titled "Five Years in the Stock Market: Governance Excellence Driving Performance" held at a city hotel, Robi said sustained investment, stronger corporate governance, and an expanding digital business have driven steady financial and operational growth.

Robi Managing Director and CEO Ziad Shatara presented an overview of the company's business performance since its capital market debut, highlighting strong commercial growth and an expanding subscriber base.

He said the company has maintained consistent revenue and profit growth while expanding its subscriber base, digital services, and network infrastructure over the past five years.

Highlighting its sustained financial performance, Shatara noted that revenue grew 1.2 times from 2021 to reach Tk9,992 crore in 2025.

Over the same period, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) expanded to Tk4,979 crore, up 1.5 times, while profit after tax jumped to Tk937 crore in 2025, up 5.2 times from Tk180 crore in 2021.

Shatara added that the operator remains the fastest-growing mobile network operator in the market.

"In the second quarter of 2026, Robi posted a 6.1% revenue growth while competitors contracted by 1.2%. Similarly, in the first half of 2026, Robi achieved a 7.1% revenue increase compared to a 0.7% decline across the rest of the industry," he said.

The Robi CEO added that the operator's market share in total sectoral revenue increased from 29.3% in 2021 to 31.3% in 2025. Over the 2021–2025 period, the operator captured 44.7% of the overall industry revenue growth.

Subscriber base

Since its listing in 2020, Robi added 76.7 lakh subscribers, 1.1 crore internet users and 2.55 crore 4G users. During this post-listing period, the mobile operator expanded its 4G sites from 13,173 to 19,646 nationwide, while expanding its total spectrum holdings 3.4 times to 124 MHz.

The infrastructure investment accelerated data adoption across the network. By the second quarter of 2026, Robi's active subscriber base expanded to 5.86 crore.

Internet users accounted for 78.9% of its total subscribers, with 4G users making up 72% – the highest ratios in Bangladesh's telecommunications industry. Its monthly data consumption per user surpassed 10 GB, the operator said in a press release.

The growth in data usage shifted the company's revenue mix, with data services accounting for 44.4% of total revenue in H1 2026, up from 36% in 2020.

The operator's capital strategy also prioritized domestic procurement. Robi's spending on local vendors rose from 57% of total procurement in 2020 to 78.1% in 2025.

Additionally, the company channelled over Tk280 crore to local software creators through its application platform, bdapps.

Dividend and profit

Between 2021 and H1 2026, Robi generated Tk2,819.13 crore in profit after tax and distributed Tk2,854.67 crore in dividends to shareholders.

Profit after tax for the first half of 2026 grew by 29% compared to the same period in 2025, while its EBITDA margin reached 54.2%.

Shatara said, "Our digital ecosystem has also expanded beyond telecommunications. bdtickets now serves more than 80,000 travellers daily through a network of over 150 bus operators. Our enterprise business, Axentec, supported by RedDot Digital's technology capabilities and global partnerships, is helping organisations accelerate their digital transformation, while RedDot has further strengthened Robi's in- house technology capabilities."

He continued, "Artificial intelligence has become an increasingly important enabler across our business. It helps optimise network planning, personalise products and services, and improve customer experience. With 2.28 crore customers using our self-care applications, AI enables us to respond more efficiently and deliver more personalised digital experiences.

"Al will play an even bigger role in our business in the years ahead. Throughout this journey, robust governance has provided the foundation for sustainable growth. We have continued to strengthen our data governance to protect customer privacy, guard against cyber threats and ensure AI is developed and deployed responsibly."

He said as a technology company, the operator values agility and innovation. "Equally, we believe strong governance is one of our core strengths. Four empowered Board committees provide the oversight that keeps us focused on our purpose of advancing Bangladesh digitally."

Robi listed on the Dhaka and Chattogram stock exchanges in late 2020 in what was the country's largest-ever IPO.

Axiata Group Berhad holds a 61.82% majority stake in the company, Bharti Airtel holds 28.18%, and public shareholders hold the remaining 10%.

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) extended its winning streak for a fourth consecutive month in July, driven by a spectacular rally in mutual funds, encouraging corporate earnings and a series of market-friendly policy initiatives that strengthened investor confidence.

The benchmark DSEX index gained 132 points, or 2.3%, to close at 5,895, according to Sheltech Brokerage Limited's monthly market review. The blue-chip DS30 index rose 1.78% to 2,217, while the Shariah-based DSES advanced 2.32% to 1,195.

Market participation also improved. Average daily turnover increased 4.03% month-on-month to Tk1,254 crore, while average daily trading volume rose 9.57% to 425.5 million shares.

Mutual funds lead rally

Mutual funds emerged as the top-performing sector in July, with market capitalisation surging nearly 22% - the highest among all sectors.

Sheltech Brokerage attributed the rally to growing optimism over government plans to reform the long-neglected mutual fund industry. Investors accumulated fund units in anticipation of measures aimed at improving institutional participation and long-term valuations.

Trading activity reflected the enthusiasm. Average daily turnover in the sector jumped 189% month-on-month to Tk42.87 crore.

Among listed securities, EXIM Bank First Mutual Fund topped the gainers with a 91.43% rise to Tk6.70, while MBL First Mutual Fund climbed 87.8% to Tk7.70. NCCBL Mutual Fund One advanced 65.91% and PF First Mutual Fund gained 62.5%.

Analysts said the rally was further supported by the FY27 budget, which removed the Tk5 lakh investment ceiling previously required to qualify for tax rebates.

Broad-based gains

The rally extended beyond mutual funds. Textile stocks posted the second-highest sectoral gain at 10.81%, followed by food and allied (7.46%), jute (6.34%), travel and leisure (6.10%), tannery (5.92%) and non-bank financial institutions (5.68%).

Textiles also dominated trading, accounting for 17.48% of total market turnover, followed by insurance (14.28%) and pharmaceuticals and chemicals (11.44%).

Analysts said the broad participation suggested improving investor sentiment rather than speculative buying in a few sectors.

Outperforming regional peers

Bangladesh's stock market outperformed several regional peers despite geopolitical tensions and global market uncertainty.

Among South and Southeast Asian markets, only Indonesia and Malaysia posted stronger monthly gains. Indonesia's IDX Composite rose 10.51% and Malaysia's FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI gained 3.66%.

Bangladesh outperformed India's Sensex, which rose 2.11%, and Thailand's SET Index, up 2.04%. Meanwhile, Pakistan's KSE-100 Index fell 2.33%, Sri Lanka's All Share Price Index dropped 5.09% and Vietnam's VN-Index declined 6.68%.

Sheltech Brokerage said Bangladesh's comparatively strong performance reflected improving domestic sentiment fuelled by regulatory reforms and stronger-than-expected corporate earnings.

Reforms and easing support market

Investor confidence strengthened after the government unveiled a 17-point roadmap to develop the capital market.

The announcements briefly lifted the DSEX to 5,926.28 points – its highest level in nearly two years – while daily turnover reached a two-year high of Tk1,669 crore.

The roadmap includes faster settlement systems, digitalisation of trading, expansion of the bond market, AI-based market surveillance and measures to attract institutional investors.

Support also came from Bangladesh Bank, which cut the policy interest rate by 50 basis points, signalling the start of monetary easing to support investment and economic recovery.

Government security yields also declined as banking system liquidity improved. Lower interest rates generally make equities more attractive by reducing financing costs and encouraging investors to shift from fixed-income assets.

Earnings remain encouraging

Corporate earnings also reinforced optimism. Of the 89 listed companies that disclosed April-June results during the month, 65 reported year-on-year growth in earnings per share.

Banks and non-bank financial institutions were among the strongest performers, benefiting from higher income from investments in government securities despite subdued lending. Several multinational companies also reported solid earnings, sustaining demand for blue-chip stocks.

Sheltech Brokerage said the results indicated that many listed companies were adapting to the challenging macroeconomic environment through cost control, operational efficiency and stronger treasury income.

Focus shifts to next reforms

Investors are now watching the finalisation of the revised margin lending framework, which is expected to influence market liquidity. They are also awaiting dividend declarations and annual financial statements from June-closing companies.

According to Sheltech Brokerage, continued implementation of market reforms, supportive monetary policy and stable corporate earnings could help sustain the market's positive momentum despite lingering global and domestic economic risks.

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) closed marginally higher today (4 August) after a volatile trading session marked by a tug-of-war between bargain hunters and profit-takers.

The benchmark DSEX index rose 8 points, or 0.14%, to 5,894. However, the blue-chip DS30 index slipped 2 points to 2,201, suggesting investors selectively favoured momentum-driven stocks over large-cap heavyweights, market insiders said.

Market breadth remained almost evenly balanced, with 170 stocks advancing, 176 declining and 45 remaining unchanged.

Turnover at the premier bourse declined 8% from the previous session to Tk1,111 crore, indicating slightly weaker market participation.

According to EBL Securities, the market showed resilience as investors continued accumulating momentum-driven stocks despite lingering concerns about the market's underlying strength. While cautious sentiment from previous sessions initially kept indices under pressure, a mid-session rally in insurance stocks helped the market recover and close in positive territory.

Sheltech Brokerage Limited said early buying pushed the benchmark index to an intraday high of 5,913 points before intensified profit-booking dragged it down to an intraday low of 5,888 points.

Although the market attempted to recover in the latter half of the session, buying conviction remained weak, and selling pressure erased much of the morning's gains.

The textile sector accounted for the largest share of turnover at 20.3%, followed by general insurance with 17.1% and pharmaceuticals with 12.2%.

Insurance was the day's best-performing sector, with general insurance advancing 3.4% and life insurance gaining 2.7%. The services sector also rose 1.7%.

On the downside, the information technology sector posted the steepest decline, falling 1.2%, while the ceramic and travel sectors also recorded marginal losses.

Among individual stocks, GBB Power and Tung Hai Knitting topped the gainers' list after hitting the 10% upper circuit breaker. Central Insurance and Prime Insurance also posted strong gains.

Matin Spinning was the day's worst performer, losing 4.61%, followed by Ring Shine Textile and EBL First Mutual Fund.

The mixed sentiment was also reflected at the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE). The broad CASPI index gained 25 points to close at 15,789, while the Selective Categories' Index (CSCX) edged down 2 points to 9,621. Turnover at the port city bourse fell 20% to Tk18 crore.

Bank Asia PLC has received regulatory clearance to double its authorised share capital to Tk3,000 crore, a strategic move that provides the lender with significant room for future capital expansion.

According to a disclosure filed with the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) yesterday, the bank's authorised capital has been enhanced from Tk1,500 crore – comprising 150 crore ordinary shares – to Tk3,000 crore, divided into 300 crore ordinary shares with a face value of Tk10 each.

The enhancement has been duly approved and certified by the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms (RJSC). Consequently, the bank has amended the relevant clauses of its Memorandum and Articles of Association to reflect the new capital structure.

Currently, Bank Asia's paid-up capital stands at Tk1,391.50 crore, meaning the bank now has the flexibility to more than double its existing paid-up base through rights issues or bonus shares in the coming years, according to the market insiders.

The capital restructuring comes at a time when the bank is navigating a challenging earnings period. Bank Asia reported that its consolidated earnings per share (EPS) fell by 16% year-on-year during the first half (January-June) of 2026. The EPS settled at Tk1.77, down from Tk2.11 in the corresponding period of 2025.

The bank attributed the decline primarily to a surge in interest expenses which outpaced interest income, coupled with a contraction in investment income and reduced earnings from commission, exchange, and brokerage services.

Despite the drop in profitability, the bank's balance sheet showed resilience in other key metrics. On a consolidated basis, its Net Asset Value (NAV) per share rose to Tk26.92 at the end of June 2026, compared to Tk24.33 a year earlier.

This growth was driven by an increase in shareholders' equity, supported by higher statutory reserves and the transfer of startup funds from other liabilities.

Furthermore, the bank's net operating cash flow per share (NOCFPS) witnessed a healthy jump to Tk48.77 from Tk37.60, largely due to increased cash inflows from customer deposits and institutional borrowings.

Looking back at the previous calendar year, Bank Asia reported a total net profit of Tk407.25 crore for 2025, yielding an EPS of Tk3.18.

To reward its investors, the bank had disbursed a 17% dividend for the year, consisting of an equal split of 8.5% in cash and 8.5% in stock.

Following the announcement of the capital enhancement yesterday, investor reaction remained neutral on the bourse, with the bank's share price closing unchanged at Tk18 on the Dhaka Stock Exchange.

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) ended lower today (3 August), with the benchmark index slipping below the psychological 5,900-point mark as persistent gas supply shortages, escalating tensions in the Middle East and uncertainty over the draft margin loan rules dampened investor sentiment.

After moving in a narrow range for most of the session, the market came under renewed selling pressure in the second half of trading. Market analysts said that while Bangladesh Bank's accommodative monetary policy and the government's efforts to ease the energy crisis have offered some support, lingering uncertainties continue to keep investors cautious.

The benchmark DSEX index shed 10.62 points, or 0.18%, to close at 5,886. The blue-chip DS30 index fell 9.06 points to 2,204, while the DSES Shariah Index lost 6.18 points to finish at 1,186.

Turnover on the premier bourse also declined, dropping 3.74% from the previous session to Tk1,211 crore.

Among the 393 issues traded, 165 advanced, 169 declined and 59 remained unchanged. Although gainers and losers were nearly evenly matched, stronger selling pressure toward the close dragged the market into negative territory.

Market participants said uncertainty over the proposed margin loan rules has added to investors' concerns. With the deadline for public feedback approaching, investors remain uncertain whether the regulator will revise several contentious provisions before finalising the rules. As a result, many investors, particularly those relying on margin financing, are refraining from taking fresh positions.

In its daily market commentary, EBL Securities said the capital bourse slipped back into negative territory after witnessing day-long volatility, as selling pressure intensified near the psychological 5,900-point level. Despite supportive monetary easing and government initiatives to alleviate the energy crisis, persistent gas shortages and lingering Middle East tensions kept investors cautious, resulting in range-bound trading.

According to the brokerage, the benchmark index opened higher before selling pressure intensified across the board, pushing the market into negative territory by mid-session. A modest recovery attempt later in the day proved short-lived as profit-taking re-emerged, reflecting investors' continued caution amid an uncertain near-term market outlook.

On the sectoral front, textiles accounted for the largest share of turnover at 26.2%, followed by pharmaceuticals and chemicals at 11.8% and engineering at 10.6%.

Sector performance was mixed with mutual funds posting the strongest gain, rising 2.1%, followed by jute at 1.4% and information technology at 0.9%. On the downside, food and allied stocks fell 0.8%, general insurance declined 0.6%, and the miscellaneous sector lost 0.5%.

Fareast Finance topped the gainers' list with a 10% rise. Peoples Leasing and Financial Services and International Leasing and Financial Services followed, each advancing 9.52%.

Among the decliners, Meghna Pet Industries fell 5.15%, while SBAC Bank and Bangladesh Export Import Company (Beximco) lost 4.0% and 3.88%, respectively.

The most actively traded stocks of the day were Sharp Industries, Far East Knitting, and Monno Fabrics.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also closed lower, with the CSCX index shedding 14.2 points and the CASPI falling 30.2 points.

Shares of IT sector-listed Aamra Technologies have surged 65% over the past two months, but the company says there is no undisclosed price-sensitive information (PSI) behind the sharp rise.

Following the unusual increase in the share price and trading volume, the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) separately sought explanations from the company.

In replies to the DSE's query dated 12 July and the CSE's query dated 2 August, Aamra Technologies said it is not aware of any undisclosed price-sensitive information that could have influenced the recent movement in its share price or trading volume.

The company said there had been no significant changes in its business operations, financial position or future plans that could explain the rally.

The stock closed at Tk21.40 on the DSE today (3 August).

According to DSE data, the company's share price rose from Tk13 on 1 June to Tk21.50 on 2 August, a gain of 65.38% in two months.

Trading activity also increased sharply during the period, with turnover in several sessions well above the stock's usual average. Market observers say simultaneous spikes in price and trading volume in relatively small-cap stocks can sometimes indicate speculative trading, although determining the cause falls within the purview of the stock exchanges and the market regulator.

Aamra Technologies was listed on the stock market in 2012 and is currently in the 'Z' category. The company has a paid-up capital of Tk65.70 crore.

As of 30 June 2026, sponsor-directors held 30.01% of the company's shares, institutional investors owned 33.68%, while general investors held the remaining 36.31%.

Shares of loss-making Sharp Industries have surged 132.35% in just six weeks despite the company reporting a net loss of Tk65 crore in the first nine months of FY2025-26.

Trading in the stock has also increased sharply, although the company says there is no undisclosed price-sensitive information (PSI) behind the rally.

According to data from the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), Sharp Industries' share price rose from Tk17 on 15 June to Tk39.50 on 3 August, gaining Tk22.50 during the period.

The unusual rise in both the share price and trading volume prompted the DSE to seek an explanation from the company on 13 July.

In its response, Sharp Industries said there had been no material developments, including changes in business operations, financial condition, new investments, asset sales, mergers, restructuring or any other corporate event, that could explain the recent surge in its share price.

The company also said it had no undisclosed price-sensitive information related to the movement.

Trading activity has risen significantly in recent weeks, with the stock featuring among the DSE's top-traded issues in several recent sessions.

Sharp Industries emerged from the merger of RN Spinning Mills Limited and Samin Food and Beverage Industries and Textile Mills Limited. RN Spinning had suspended operations following a fire in 2019 and had been incurring continuous losses since FY2018-19. As part of its revival plan, the company merged with Samin Food to resume operations.

The High Court approved the merger in December 2022, while the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission granted its consent in October 2023.

Following the completion of the merger, the company began trading on the DSE under the name Sharp Industries PLC on 29 October 2024.

Despite the restructuring, the company's financial performance remains weak. During the first nine months of FY2025-26, Sharp Industries posted a Tk65 crore net loss on Tk257 crore in revenue.

In the January-March quarter alone, it incurred a Tk21 crore loss while generating Tk56 crore in revenue. As of March 2026, the company's accumulated retained losses stood at approximately Tk78 crore.

Market participants say the sharp rally in the shares of a company that continues to report substantial losses and has shown no visible improvement in its fundamentals is unusual.

They note that Bangladesh's textile sector is still facing significant challenges due to persistent gas shortages and rising production costs, making such a dramatic appreciation difficult to justify based on fundamentals alone.

Under DSE regulations, the exchange seeks explanations whenever a listed company's share price or trading volume shows unusual movements, with the objective of determining whether any undisclosed price-sensitive information exists.

Analysts advise investors to base investment decisions on a company's financial performance and fundamentals rather than short-term price momentum.

The securities regulator has taken another step towards deregulating the capital market by decentralising its internal operations and restoring regulatory powers to the stock exchanges, aiming to speed up services and strengthen market oversight.

The latest move came last week when the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) allowed market participants to submit routine applications and documents directly to the executive directors of the relevant departments instead of routing them through the commission chairman.

Under a directive issued on Thursday, self-regulatory organisations (SROs), listed companies, registered market intermediaries and other capital market-related entities and individuals will now submit general applications, reports, statements and correspondence directly to the executive directors of the respective BSEC departments.

Previously, such applications had to be sent to the BSEC chairman, resulting in delays as documents were processed through the chairman's office and signed by the BSEC chief and the commissioners before being forwarded to the relevant departments.

When asked for comment, BSEC Chairman Masud Khan said the change was part of the regulator's broader deregulation agenda aimed at ensuring greater accountability among officials and faster resolution of stakeholders' issues.

"Every day, around 100 to 150 general applications are submitted to the chairman before being forwarded to the concerned departments. The process wastes a lot of time," he said.

"It will be much faster if the letters go directly from the dispatch section to the concerned executive director."

Mr Khan said only specific complaints or policy matters should require the attention of the chairman or commissioners.

"As part of our mandate and the government's commitment to deregulation, the capital market will gradually see greater delegation of authority within the regulatory bodies to ensure quicker disposal of issues," he said.

Mr Khan said responsibility should rest with the officials entrusted with a particular task.

"If I intervene myself, they will avoid their responsibility," he said.

The commission is also shifting supervisory responsibilities back to the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), allowing it to exercise powers already provided under existing regulations.

According to the BSEC chairman, the DSE will now be responsible for routine inspections of brokerage firms, while the commission will focus on investigations and formal inquiries.

When the DSE cited manpower shortages, Mr Khan said, he suggested appointing five or six audit firms to inspect high-risk brokerage houses under an annual schedule.

Using a standard operating procedure (SOP), the audit firms would examine issues such as deficits in consolidated customers' accounts (CCA), compliance with margin lending rules and the adequacy of back-office software before reporting their findings to the exchange, he added.

"This is another example of deregulation. The DSE should not have to seek my permission for inspections. The BSEC should intervene only after irregularities are identified," he said.

Mr Khan added that further measures to decentralise powers within the BSEC would be introduced in the coming months.

The regulator has already restored several powers to the DSE.

In July, the BSEC clarified the listing regulations, removing ambiguity over the exchange's authority to suspend trading of companies experiencing abnormal price movements unsupported by fundamentals.

The clarification followed a series of speculative rallies in weak companies, including Khan Brothers PP Woven Bag Industries, where prices surged on rumours before collapsing, leaving many retail investors with heavy losses.

Following the clarification, the DSE has begun suspending trading in companies showing unexplained price movements.

A senior DSE official said the move would help protect investors from speculative trading.

"Investors will now remain cautious because trading in a company can be halted at any time if abnormal price increases are not supported by fundamentals," the official said.

Last month, the BSEC also restored the exchanges' authority to determine circuit breaker limits for listed securities.

Although the listing regulations had already empowered the exchanges to set market control parameters independently, a regulatory directive issued in June 2021 had effectively curtailed that authority.

BSEC officials said the exchanges should be allowed to exercise powers already granted under their own regulations.

Meanwhile, the commission has agreed in principle to allow the stock exchanges to conduct immediate inspections of listed companies without prior regulatory approval where there is prima facie evidence of wrongdoing.

The move follows complaints from the exchanges that they were unable to inspect companies despite indications of mismanagement, financial irregularities or credible information from shareholders and insiders.

DSE officials said they submitted a draft amendment to the BSEC last month seeking inspection powers over listed companies.

After reviewing the proposal, the regulator requested a comprehensive amendment to the listing regulations, which is expected to take about two months to finalise, they said.

The port city bourse CSE has yet to launch operation of the country's maiden commodity exchange (CX), as regulatory approval for licences of commodity brokers and products has been remaining pending for around one year due to shareholding complications involving its strategic partner.

On installation of basic infrastructure needed for operations of the CX, the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) sought approval for commodity items from the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) in July last year.

The commodities selected by the port city bourse are gold, silver and crude oil.

The CSE also submitted seven applications to the securities regulator in October, 2025 seeking licences for commodity brokers.

But the port city bourse has not yet received any regulatory approvals for brokers as well as commodities.

When asked, CSE Managing Director M. Shaifur Rahman Mazumdar said the previous commission had refrained from issuing any licence and approving the commodities until the complications over the strategic partner's stake were resolved.

As per rules set for the CX, the exchange's strategic partner is not allowed to hold more than 25 per cent shares of the exchange.

ABG Ltd., a company of Bashundhara Group, became the CSE's strategic partner by purchasing the 25 per cent stake of the exchange.

The company also owns a brokerage firm, Stock & Brokerage Linkway, with a 0.51 per cent stake in the port city bourse.

As a result, the shareholding of the CSE's strategic partner -- ABG Ltd. -- has exceeded the stipulated ownership ceiling.

After resignation of immediate past BSEC chairman and commissioners, the new commission led by its Chairman Masud Khan took the charge in early June last.

The CSE managing director said they talked about the pending issue of broker licence and commodity items with the BSEC officials.

Asked, a BSEC official said on anonymity that the regulator realised the importance of the CX.

He said the regulator would analyse the complications to find out a solution required to commence operation of the CX.

To break the deadlock, Bashundhara Group will have to surrender the ownership of the brokerage firm to another party.

Mr Rahman said the conglomerate was ready to transfer the additional shares, but the National Board of Revenue (NBR) stopped the transfer of its assets.

"That's why the whole matter of the commodity exchange is hanging in the balance."

After the fall of the Awami League-led regime, the NBR in October 2024 requested the Department of Joint Stock Companies and Firms to suspend share transfer by seven groups, including Bashundhara, to prevent tax evasion. Since then, Bashundhara's share transfer has remained suspended.

The CSE managing director said the regulator had ways to resolve the complications involving the strategic partner's shareholding.

The regulator could either offer a waiver on mandatory shareholding by the strategic partner or could issue licences for the brokers alongside approving the commodities with a condition of resolving the shareholding complexity before commencing operation at the CX.

"Then the commodity brokers could complete necessary preparations before resolving the shareholding complications," Shaifur said.

The companies that applied for broker licences are LankaBangla Securities, BR Rich, Sohel Securities, Island Securities, Royal Capital, UCB Stock Brokerage, and NLI Securities.

They are operating on both Dhaka and Chittagong stock exchanges.

Similar to TREC (Trading Right Entitlement Certificate) holders of the bourses, a company will require a broker licence from the securities regulator to conduct trading at the CX.

As per rules, the minimum paid-up capital of a commodity broker will be Tk 100 million.

Apart from brokerage firms, other companies can also become commodity brokers by fulfilling the requirements.

A CX is a legal entity that determines and enforces rules and procedures for trading in standardised commodity contracts and related investment products.

The country's premier bourse witnessed a significant surge in liquidity today (2 August) as investors reacted to the central bank's first policy rate cut in nearly two years.

Market turnover on the Dhaka Stock Exchange jumped by 21% to reach Tk1,257 crore, compared to the previous week's average, as participants initially cheered the shift towards monetary easing.

However, despite the liquidity injection and a strong start that saw the benchmark index scale an intraday high of 5,938 points, the market failed to sustain its momentum.

Broad-based profit-taking in the final hour of trading, coupled with persistent concerns over domestic industrial challenges and geopolitical jitters, dragged the index back to close on a largely flat note, according to the market insiders.

The benchmark DSEX index ended the day at 5,895 points, while the blue-chip DS30 index managed a marginal gain of 3 points to settle at 2,213.

Market breadth remained positive as 193 issues advanced, 149 declined, and 45 remained unchanged.

According to the daily market review by EBL Securities, the benchmark index remained afloat throughout most of the session but lacked the necessary buying conviction to consolidate above the psychological 5,900-point threshold.

The brokerage noted that even the long-awaited policy rate cut could not fully offset investor anxiety regarding domestic energy supply disruptions and the evolving situation in the Middle East. Heavyweight scrips faced intensified selling pressure towards the close, which eroded the morning's substantial gains.

Sheltech Brokerage Limited highlighted that the market's performance was primarily shaped by an early buying frenzy followed by gradual distribution. The brokerage pointed out that while the central bank's move to ease interest rates provided a temporary lift, the ongoing gas supply crisis and uncertainty surrounding proposed margin lending rule amendments prompted many investors to lock in profits after the early peak.

On the sectoral front, the textile sector dominated market activity, accounting for 21.4% of the day's total turnover, followed by general insurance and pharmaceuticals, both contributing 11.9%.

In terms of returns, mutual funds emerged as the top-performing sector with a 5.6% gain, followed by jute and services. Conversely, the cement, life insurance, and banking sectors faced corrections, with several large-cap lenders acting as primary index draggers, including Islami Bank Bangladesh, Al-Arafah Islami Bank, and National Bank.

Individual stock performance was highlighted by Green Delta Mutual Fund, which hit the 10% upper circuit limit. Other top gainers included Usmania Glass, Prime Insurance, and Queen South Textile.

On the flip side, S Alam Cold Rolled Steels was the top loser, shedding 7.85% of its value, followed by BIFC and Sena Insurance.

The positive sentiment was partially mirrored at the Chittagong Stock Exchange, where the broad CASPI index rose by 33 points to reach 15,794. However, the port city bourse saw a sharp 79% decline in trading volume, with turnover settling at a mere Tk9.82 crore.

Most listed non-life insurance companies in Bangladesh posted stronger earnings in the April-June quarter of 2026, driven by lower operating costs following the zero-commission policy, improved underwriting, stronger marine insurance business and higher investment income, industry stakeholders said.

An analysis of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) data shows that 41 of the country's 43 listed non-life insurers have so far published their unaudited April-June financial statements.

Of them, 31 reported higher earnings per share (EPS), while 10 posted lower EPS. Two companies have yet to disclose their quarterly results.The stronger earnings have also lifted investor sentiment, with shares of several insurers rising after the release of their quarterly results.
Islami Commercial Insurance posted the highest profit growth among listed insurers, with quarterly EPS surging 350% to Tk0.63 from Tk0.14 a year earlier. Its January-June EPS rose to Tk0.94 from Tk0.35.

The company said higher net profit after tax drove the earnings growth. However, net operating cash flow per share (NOCFPS) fell to Tk0.12 from Tk0.16 due to lower premium income and higher claim payments. Net asset value (NAV) per share increased to Tk18.31 as of 30 June 2026 from Tk17.36 at the end of December 2025. Its share price gained 1.79% to Tk34.20 on the DSE yesterday.

Express Insurance posted the second-highest growth, with quarterly EPS jumping 279% to Tk0.53 from Tk0.14. Its first-half EPS increased to Tk0.87 from Tk0.43, while NOCFPS improved to Tk0.92 from Tk0.78.

Asia Insurance reported a 200% rise in quarterly EPS to Tk0.33 from Tk0.11. The company attributed the growth to the elimination of agent commission expenses and the absence of additional provisions against investments in listed shares. These factors also lifted first-half NOCFPS to Tk1.36 from Tk0.66.

Other strong performers included Global Insurance, whose EPS rose 184%; Phoenix Insurance, 176%; Paramount Insurance, 145%; Agrani Insurance, 143%; Takaful Islami Insurance, 129%; and City Insurance, 119%.

Among the larger companies, Peoples Insurance reported a 91% increase in EPS, followed by Pioneer Insurance (74%), Provati Insurance (58%), Karnaphuli Insurance and Nitol Insurance (55% each), Eastland Insurance (54%), United Insurance (45%) and Bangladesh National Insurance (42%).

On the other hand, 10 companies posted lower earnings during the quarter.

Infographic: TBS
Infographic: TBS
Sonar Bangla Insurance posted the steepest earnings decline, with consolidated EPS dropping 42% to Tk0.26 from Tk0.45. Despite weaker earnings, consolidated NOCFPS rose to Tk0.69 from Tk0.21, while consolidated NAV per share increased to Tk20.54 from Tk20.02.

Other insurers reporting lower EPS were Republic Insurance (down 14%), Purabi General Insurance, Mercantile Islami Insurance and Northern Islami Insurance (9% each), Dhaka Insurance (8%), Prime Insurance (7%), Crystal Insurance (4%), Bangladesh General Insurance (2%) and Sena Insurance (1%).

Industry stakeholders said recent regulatory reforms have begun strengthening the sector's financial health.

Newly appointed Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (Idra) Chairman Mir Nadia Nivin has made the settlement of long-pending insurance claims the regulator's top priority.

Idra has already started settling nearly Tk4,000 crore in outstanding claims owed by the country's seven most financially distressed life insurers by liquidating land, government treasury bonds, fixed deposits with financially sound banks and other marketable assets.

The regulator is also working with Bangladesh Bank to recover insurers' deposits trapped in financially troubled banks.

Industry insiders said the zero-commission policy has sharply reduced excessive commission expenses, unnecessary policy sales and the practice of artificially inflating premium income. As a result, operating costs have fallen, while insurers' underlying underwriting performance has become more transparent in their financial statements.

They also said easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East during the April-June quarter helped revive international trade and shipping, supporting marine insurance business. Meanwhile, the capital market's recovery boosted investment income for many insurers, contributing to stronger profitability.

However, they cautioned that insurers with higher claim settlements continue to face earnings pressure. Sustaining the sector's recovery, they said, will require stronger corporate governance, sound risk management, disciplined underwriting and continued cost control.

Yeakin Polymer has reapplied to the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), through its Managing Director Mohammad Harunor Rashid, seeking approval to transfer 21.50% shares held by three sponsor-directors to FCS Holdings Ltd after securing the required no-objection certificates (NOCs) from the company's lenders.

The fresh application was submitted to the regulator on Tuesday, nearly a year after a similar proposal failed to move forward because the required NOCs relating to the company's defaulted loans had not been obtained.

The share price of the company closed at Tk25.10 on the Dhaka stock exchange yesterday (1 August).

The proposed transaction involves the transfer of 1,58,52,993 shares, equivalent to 21.50% of Yeakin Polymer's total outstanding shares, from three sponsor-directors to FCS Holdings, a real estate and investment company.

The shares to be transferred include 71,07,562 shares held by Chairman Chakladar Rezaunul Alam, 72,69,950 shares owned by Director Kapita Packaging Solutions Ltd, and 14,75,481 shares held by Director Didarul Alam.

Managing Director Mohammad Harunor Rashid, who holds the remaining 8.60% of the sponsor-directors' combined 30.10% stake, is not part of the proposed transfer. He will continue as managing director even after the ownership change, if the transaction receives regulatory approval.

Under the proposed arrangement, FCS Holdings will not pay cash for the shares. Instead, it will assume Yeakin Polymer's outstanding liabilities with Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC, Industrial and Infrastructure Development Finance Company (IIDFC), as well as certain supplier dues currently borne by the sponsor-directors.

Yeakin Polymer currently has outstanding loans of around Tk52 crore with banks and financial institutions. Of the total, around Tk43 crore is owed to Islami Bank and Tk9 crore to IIDFC. The company has already secured NOCs from both lenders, fulfilling the key regulatory requirement that prevented the previous application from proceeding, said Managing Director Mohammad Harunor Rashid to The Business Standard.

If approved by the BSEC, FCS Holdings will become a sponsor shareholder and nominate representatives to Yeakin Polymer's board of directors.

As part of the proposed ownership transition, FCS Holdings plans to undertake a Balancing, Modernisation, Rehabilitation and Expansion (BMRE) programme to modernise the company's operations. It has also committed to resolving all pending compliance issues covering the 2022-2026 period after the share transfer is completed.

FCS Holdings had earlier sought to acquire the same sponsor stake in September last year. However, the BSEC did not proceed with the proposal because the required NOCs from lenders relating to the company's defaulted loans were not submitted.

The latest application comes after that regulatory hurdle has been removed.

Yeakin Polymer has remained under financial stress despite a change in ownership last year.

In June 2024, the current board acquired a 30.52% stake in the company from the previous management led by Quazi Anwarul Haque. However, due to a shortage of working capital and its inability to reschedule bank loans, the company failed to restore normal operations, leaving shareholders waiting for a turnaround.

The ownership transfer process has also witnessed repeated delays over the past few years.

On 12 May 2022, the BSEC approved an earlier transfer of sponsor shares after the company's stock price surged around 140% in January 2022 amid speculation over a possible ownership change. However, the transfer was not completed within the stipulated timeframe.

The commission granted the first extension on 21 December 2023, but the parties again failed to complete the transaction. The company again witnessed a notable rise in its share price during that period.

On 9 June 2024, the BSEC approved another one-month extension to complete the share transfer process.

Yeakin Polymer raised Tk20 crore through an initial public offering (IPO) in 2016 to expand its business. However, its business later declined after the government promoted the use of environmentally friendly jute sacks instead of polymer bags.

Since its listing, the company has declared only a 1% cash dividend on one occasion. In February last year, it was downgraded to the "Z" category on the stock exchanges.

According to the latest shareholding data as of 30 June 2026, sponsor-directors jointly hold 30.10% of the company's shares, of which 21.50% is proposed to be transferred to FCS Holdings, while Managing Director Mohammad Harunor Rashid will retain his 8.60% stake. Institutional investors hold 17% of the shares and general shareholders own the remaining 52.90%.

Yeakin Polymer has reapplied to the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), through its Managing Director Mohammad Harunor Rashid, seeking approval to transfer 21.50% shares held by three sponsor-directors to FCS Holdings Ltd after securing the required no-objection certificates (NOCs) from the company's lenders.

The fresh application was submitted to the regulator on Tuesday, nearly a year after a similar proposal failed to move forward because the required NOCs relating to the company's defaulted loans had not been obtained.

The share price of the company closed at Tk25.10 on the Dhaka stock exchange yesterday.

The proposed transaction involves the transfer of 1,58,52,993 shares, equivalent to 21.50% of Yeakin Polymer's total outstanding shares, from three sponsor-directors to FCS Holdings, a real estate and investment company.

The shares to be transferred include 71,07,562 shares held by Chairman Chakladar Rezaunul Alam, 72,69,950 shares owned by Director Kapita Packaging Solutions Ltd, and 14,75,481 shares held by Director Didarul Alam.

Managing Director Mohammad Harunor Rashid, who holds the remaining 8.60% of the sponsor-directors' combined 30.10% stake, is not part of the proposed transfer. He will continue as managing director even after the ownership change, if the transaction receives regulatory approval.

Under the proposed arrangement, FCS Holdings will not pay cash for the shares. Instead, it will assume Yeakin Polymer's outstanding liabilities with Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC, Industrial and Infrastructure Development Finance Company (IIDFC), as well as certain supplier dues currently borne by the sponsor-directors.

Yeakin Polymer currently has outstanding loans of around Tk52 crore with banks and financial institutions. Of the total, around Tk43 crore is owed to Islami Bank and Tk9 crore to IIDFC. The company has already secured NOCs from both lenders, fulfilling the key regulatory requirement that prevented the previous application from proceeding, said Managing Director Mohammad Harunor Rashid to The Business Standard.

If approved by the BSEC, FCS Holdings will become a sponsor shareholder and nominate representatives to Yeakin Polymer's board of directors.

As part of the proposed ownership transition, FCS Holdings plans to undertake a Balancing, Modernisation, Rehabilitation and Expansion (BMRE) programme to modernise the company's operations. It has also committed to resolving all pending compliance issues covering the 2022-2026 period after the share transfer is completed.

FCS Holdings had earlier sought to acquire the same sponsor stake in September last year. However, the BSEC did not proceed with the proposal because the required NOCs from lenders relating to the company's defaulted loans were not submitted.

The latest application comes after that regulatory hurdle has been removed.

Yeakin Polymer has remained under financial stress despite a change in ownership last year.

In June 2024, the current board acquired a 30.52% stake in the company from the previous management led by Quazi Anwarul Haque. However, due to a shortage of working capital and its inability to reschedule bank loans, the company failed to restore normal operations, leaving shareholders waiting for a turnaround.

The ownership transfer process has also witnessed repeated delays over the past few years.

On 12 May 2022, the BSEC approved an earlier transfer of sponsor shares after the company's stock price surged around 140% in January 2022 amid speculation over a possible ownership change. However, the transfer was not completed within the stipulated timeframe.

The commission granted the first extension on 21 December 2023, but the parties again failed to complete the transaction. The company again witnessed a notable rise in its share price during that period.

On 9 June 2024, the BSEC approved another one-month extension to complete the share transfer process.

Yeakin Polymer raised Tk20 crore through an initial public offering (IPO) in 2016 to expand its business. However, its business later declined after the government promoted the use of environmentally friendly jute sacks instead of polymer bags.

Since its listing, the company has declared only a 1% cash dividend on one occasion. In February last year, it was downgraded to the "Z" category on the stock exchanges.

According to the latest shareholding data as of 30 June 2026, sponsor-directors jointly hold 30.10% of the company's shares, of which 21.50% is proposed to be transferred to FCS Holdings, while Managing Director Mohammad Harunor Rashid will retain his 8.60% stake. Institutional investors hold 17% of the shares and general shareholders own the remaining 52.90%.

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) rebounded last week as the benchmark DSEX climbed 1.57%, driven by renewed investor optimism over the ongoing quarterly earnings season despite lingering concerns over gas supply disruptions and regulatory uncertainty.

The DSEX, the key index of the Dhaka bourse, gained 91 points to close at 5,895, recovering from the sharp correction recorded in the previous week. The blue-chip DS30 index also advanced 24 points to end the week at 2,217.

According to EBL Securities' weekly market review, the rebound was supported by a temporary pause in retaliatory actions in the Middle East conflict, which revived investors' risk appetite.

Market participants also accumulated shares of companies expected to post strong quarterly financial results, resulting in broad-based buying across the market.

The benchmark index briefly crossed the 5,900-point mark during the week for the first time in nearly a fortnight before intraday profit-taking trimmed some of the gains.

However, concerns over ongoing gas supply disruptions and uncertainty over new margin lending rules kept investors cautious.

Despite these headwinds, market breadth remained strong, with gainers significantly outnumbering losers. Of the traded issues, 264 advanced while only 89 declined.

Trading activity edged lower during the week, with average daily turnover slipping slightly to Tk1,060 crore.

Among sectors, textiles dominated turnover, accounting for 22.5% of total weekly trading, followed by pharmaceuticals with 12% and engineering with 10.8%.

The general insurance sector emerged as the week's best performer, posting an 8% gain. Food and textile sectors followed with returns of 6.2% and 3.9%, respectively. Meanwhile, cement, paper and telecommunication stocks posted marginal losses as investors rotated their portfolios.

Among individual stocks, Exim Bank First Mutual Fund topped the gainers' chart with a 36.7% surge, followed by FAS Finance and Saiham Textile.

On the losing side, Renwick Jajneswar fell 12.8%, while Meghna Pet also recorded a notable decline during the week.

Mercantile Bank PLC, a listed private commercial lender, has reported a consolidated net loss for the second quarter of 2026, driven by a dramatic collapse in its net interest income and deteriorating cash flows.

According to the bank's un-audited financial statements for the April-June period, the consolidated net loss stood at Tk7.70 crore. This marks a sharp reversal from the corresponding quarter in 2025, when the bank posted a healthy net profit of Tk108 crore.

Consequently, the loss per share for the quarter reached Tk0.07, a steep fall from the earnings per share (EPS) of Tk0.98 recorded a year earlier.

The bank's performance for the first half of the year (January-June) was equally subdued. While it managed to remain technically in the black with a consolidated net profit of Tk24.78 crore for the six-month period, this figure is a staggering 88% lower than the Tk201 crore profit reported in the first half of 2025. The half-yearly EPS settled at a mere Tk0.22, compared to Tk1.82 in the prior year.

Financial analysts point to the bank's core operations as the primary source of distress. Its net interest income – the difference between interest earned on loans and paid on deposits – plummeted by 69% to settle at Tk111 crore.

Furthermore, the bank's liquidity position saw a significant squeeze, with the consolidated net operating cash flow per share (NOCFPS) dropping by 79% to Tk0.74 at the end of June.

As of 30 June 2026, the bank's consolidated net asset value (NAV) per share stood at Tk24.30.

Mercantile Bank is currently trading in the 'Z' (junk) category on the stock exchanges, a relegation triggered by its failure to declare any dividends for two consecutive years.

On Thursday (30 July), the bank's shares closed at Tk7.50 on the Dhaka Stock Exchange, continuing to trade well below their face value of Tk10.

Listed multinational companies (MNCs) in Bangladesh delivered a resilient performance in the April-June quarter of 2026, with most reporting higher revenue and profit despite persistent inflation and the ongoing energy crisis.

Of the 13 MNCs listed on the Dhaka Stock Exchange, eight posted higher net profits while 10 recorded revenue growth. Together, the blue-chip companies had a market capitalisation of about Tk77,000 crore at the end of the quarter.

Reflecting strong cash generation, Grameenphone declared a 105% interim cash dividend, while Marico Bangladesh announced a 500% interim cash dividend.

Robi Axiata posted the highest quarterly profit at Tk263 crore. British American Tobacco (BAT) Bangladesh reported a 109% year-on-year profit growth to Tk203.67 crore, while Berger Paints Bangladesh doubled its profit to Tk173.2 crore from Tk86.5 crore a year earlier.

Berger attributed the sharp increase to strong sales, strategic price adjustments to offset higher raw material and packaging costs, lower interest expenses on UPAS loans and a reduced effective tax rate following favourable tax adjustments.

LafargeHolcim Bangladesh also maintained steady growth, reporting a net profit of Tk104.47 crore. Chief Executive Officer Iqbal Chowdhury said the performance reflected the company's strong brand equity, innovation and pricing discipline.

Singer Bangladesh and Bata Shoe returned to profit after posting losses in the same quarter last year.

Singer earned Tk13.58 crore but said sales remained below expectations due to persistent inflation, geopolitical uncertainty and adverse weather, which weighed on consumer demand for electronics. The company added that intense competition limited its ability to fully pass higher costs on to customers despite an improvement in margins.

Five MNCs, however, came under earnings pressure. Grameenphone remained the country's most profitable listed MNC, posting a net profit of nearly Tk759 crore, although this was down 14% year-on-year.

Marico Bangladesh's profit fell 12%, mainly because of higher raw material costs and lower finance income.

Unilever Consumer Care recorded the sharpest decline, with profit plunging 68% to Tk7.79 crore. The company attributed the fall to lower sales and the absence of a one-off gain recognised in the corresponding quarter last year following a reassessment of trademark and technology royalty obligations.

Heidelberg Materials Bangladesh was the only listed MNC to report a quarterly loss, posting a net deficit of Tk6.13 crore.

Stocks rebounded sharply this week, with the benchmark index recovering most of the previous week's losses as bargain hunters returned to the market amid growing optimism over corporate earnings.

Market operators said investor sentiment improved after retaliatory actions in the Middle East temporarily subsided, easing fears of a further escalation in the conflict.

Expectations of strong quarterly earnings, particularly from banks and several blue-chip companies, also prompted investors to rebuild positions, triggering broad-based buying across the market.

Meanwhile, most listed banks posted double-digit year-on-year profit growth in the first half of 2026, buoyed by higher investment income as well as increased earnings from fees and commissions.

Some of the multinational companies also posted higher profit despite prolonged inflation and rising energy costs, according to their financial statements released during the week.

A leading broker said investors took advantage of the recent price correction to accumulate fundamentally strong stocks, especially those expected to report robust earnings for the April-June quarter.

"The improving earnings outlook, coupled with relatively attractive valuations after the previous week's decline, helped restore confidence among both institutional and retail investors," said the broker.

However, many investors remained cautious over several domestic and external factors. Concerns over disruptions to gas supply, lingering geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and uncertainty surrounding the final amendment to margin loan rules prompted many investors to book profits during the week.

Of the five trading sessions during the week, three closed higher and two sessions ended lower.

The benchmark index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) finally climbed more than 91 points or 1.57 per cent to close at 5,895 points, after shedding 96 points in the previous week.

According to EBL Securities, the market demonstrated resilience as renewed buying interest emerged in the final trading session, enabling equities to end the week on a firm positive note.

Expectations of favourable quarterly earnings from key sectors also boosted investor confidence, triggering broad-based buying across the market.

The DS30 Index, which tracks blue-chip companies, advanced 25 points to 2,217, while the Shariah-based DSES Index rose 12 points to 1,195.

Selective heavyweight stocks, including British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATBC), Pubali Bank, Beximco Pharmaceuticals, Walton Hi-Tech Industries, and Dominage Steel Building Systems, accounted for nearly one-third of the benchmark index's weekly gain.

Trading activity also remained resilient. Total turnover on the Dhaka bourse stood at Tk 52.99 billion during the week, slightly down from Tk 53.16 billion a week earlier.

Consequently, average daily turnover dropped 0.31 per cent to Tk 10.60 billion from Tk 10.63 billion in the previous week, indicating that some investors preferred to remain cautious.

Textile sector accounted for the largest share of weekly turnover at 22.5 per cent, followed by pharmaceuticals with 12 per cent and engineering with 10.8 per cent.

Market breadth was firmly positive, with 264 issues advancing, 89 declining and 35 remaining unchanged on the prime bourse.

Dominage Steel Building Systems emerged as the week's most-traded stock with transactions worth Tk 1.86 billion. It was followed by IT Consultants, Summit Alliance Port, Fareast Knitting and Saiham Cotton.

Most sectors posted gain during the week. General insurance saw the highest gain of 8 per cent, followed by food, engineering, power, banking and pharmaceuticals.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended the week higher. Its All Share Price Index (CASPI) rose 140 points to 15,760, while the Selective Categories Index (CSCX) gained 80 points to close at 9,616.

Islami Bank Bangladesh, one of the country's largest private sector lenders, reported a record consolidated loss of Tk1,316.48 crore for the first half of 2026, reversing a profit recorded in the same period last year.

The bank had posted a consolidated profit of Tk67.40 crore in January-June 2025. At the end of June 2026, its consolidated loss per share (EPS) stood at Tk8.10. The bank disclosed the financial results today (29 July) following a meeting of its board of directors at its headquarters.

The latest loss marks a sharp deterioration from its recent financial performance. According to its annual reports, Islami Bank remained profitable over the past five years, posting profits of Tk136.34 crore in 2025, Tk108.78 crore in 2024 and Tk635.33 crore in 2023, its highest profit during the period.

The bank had already incurred a loss of Tk288 crore in the first quarter of 2026. According to its price-sensitive information, Tk1,028.26 crore of the total consolidated loss came in the April-June second quarter.

On a standalone basis, excluding subsidiaries, Islami Bank reported a loss of Tk1,326.81 crore in the first half, with EPS falling to Tk8.24.

The bank attributed the losses mainly to higher Profit Paid on Deposits (PPD) expenses, lower investment income due to rising non-performing investments and reduced income from placements with other banks.

A senior Islami Bank official told The Business Standard that the losses were largely driven by poor recovery from loans taken by S Alam Group through alleged irregularities. "We are not receiving any recovery from those loans, while we still have to pay full profits to depositors," he said.

The official said the bank has Tk1.62 lakh crore in deposits, but recovery is possible from only around Tk60,000 crore. "Nearly Tk1 lakh crore is largely tied to loans taken through S Alam's loan irregularities, with no recovery so far," he added.

He said the crisis could ease if Bangladesh Bank's planned asset management company acquires the bad assets or allows S Alam-linked loans to be separated from the bank's balance sheet through a special arrangement.

The official added that the bank received nearly Tk500 crore in new deposits in two days, and a new board from Bangladesh Bank could further restore customer confidence and attract corporate deposits.

Acting Managing Director Md Altaf Hossain said the bank's large investment exposure to a major group was generating no income, while depositors' profits still had to be paid.

He added that under Shariah banking rules, unrealised income is kept as suspense income rather than recognised as earnings. Recovery of such income in the future could significantly boost the bank's profits, he said.

Asset deterioration wipes out IFIC Bank's positive NAV

IFIC Bank PLC reported a consolidated net loss of Tk1,668.24 crore in the first half of 2026, as worsening asset quality severely affected its financial performance.

According to the bank's price-sensitive information released after a board meeting yesterday, its consolidated loss per share (EPS) widened to Tk8.68 for January-June 2026, compared with Tk5.87 in the same period last year.

The downturn deepened in the second quarter, with the bank posting a consolidated negative EPS of Tk4.20 during April-June 2026, compared with Tk3.27 in the corresponding period of 2025.

The losses also eroded the bank's asset base, pushing its consolidated net asset value (NAV) per share into negative territory at minus Tk3.69 as of 30 June 2026. A year earlier, the bank's NAV per share stood at a positive Tk12.34.

IFIC Bank attributed the sharp decline in EPS and cash flows to mounting operating losses and a significant deterioration in asset quality.