Ahsan Habib

With a new lockdown coming up to curb the fast spread of the coronavirus, stock market analysts have recommended not to panic and holding on to shares of companies with good performance records.

Non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) seeking better returns than those of banks can invest in specialised bonds offered by the government and initial public offerings (IPO) of the stock market.

Stock investors are in a state of panic due to the sharp increase in Covid-19 infections across the country, leading to a downward trend in the market for the past two weeks.

Almost all mutual funds have come up with huge discounts, but they are still failing to attract investors due to a lack of trust, poor performance of fund managers and meagre dividends.

Most people in Bangladesh prefer to keep their funds in banks but lower interest rates on deposits are now turning them away from the risk-free income generating investment tool.

Bank funds amounting to Tk 1,863 crore are headed for the stock market as the investors are deeming it a better mode for gaining higher, cost-effectiveyields compared to other forms.

Junk stocks have frequently featured on the top gainers’ list for the past few weeks, bringing into question investors’ preference for such shares despite their substandard performance.

Retail investors may get a higher allocation of shares during initial public offerings (IPOs) as the regulator has moved to make the market an attractive investment destination for individuals.

Muhiuddin Khan Alamgir, founder chairman of Padma Bank, has accused incumbent Chairman Chowdhury Nafeez Sarafat of misusing Tk 100 crore from the troubled lender.

The presence of women in Bangladesh’s stock market is very low, as only 25 per cent of beneficiary owner’s (BO) accounts are owned by them as per the Central Depository Bangladesh’s data as of March 4.

Twelve technology-based startups are interested to enter the stock market in order to raise funds.

Insurance stocks surged throughout the 2020. But now figures show that insurance companies did not have good business as their premium income fell for the first time in at least 12 years.

Unilever Consumer Care, formerly known as GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Bangladesh, posted a 46 per cent drop in profit last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

While almost all the economic indicators of Bangladesh are in a positive trend, insurance is failing to keep pace due to a lack of awareness among the masses and mistrust.

Midland Bank Ltd plans to go public to strengthen its capital base by raising Tk 70 crore from the stock market.

Nearly three years have passed since welcoming a Chinese consortium as a strategic partner, but the Dhaka bourse is yet to secure any significant technology transfer from the Shenzhen and Shanghai stock exchanges.

Combined profit of the majority of the listed companies surpassed the pre-Covid level in October-December quarter, pointing to a fast rebound in business and economic activities.

The government’s efforts to ensure electricity at rural areas have opened the doors to a vast untapped market for the ice-cream and processed food sectors, said Md Ekramul Haque, managing director of Taufika Foods and Agro Industries.

The Insurance Development & Regulatory Authority (IDRA) yesterday appointed an administrator with immediate effect to one of the sector’s leading entities, Delta Life Insurance Company, explaining that it was to protect policyholders’ interests.

LafargeHolcim Bangladesh said yesterday it decided to go to arbitration to settle a dispute with Jalalabad Gas Transmission and Distribution Systems after the state company charged higher than the agreed price for natural gas.