United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s capital market showed mixed trends in the first half of trading on Monday, with the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) witnessing a decline while the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) posted gains. During the second working day of the week, the DSE’s benchmark index, DSEX, slipped by 3 points. The Shariah-based index DSES also edged down by 3 points, while the blue-chip index DS30 lost 9 points. In the first two hours of trading, shares and units worth over Tk 800 crore were traded on the DSE. Decliners outnumbered gainers, as the prices of 196 companies fell against advances by 159, while shares of 36 companies remained unchanged. In contrast, trading at the CSE remained upbeat. DSE revises trading hours for Ramadan The overall index CASPI rose by 23 points during the first half of the session. Most companies at the CSE ended higher, with share prices of 91 companies advancing against declines by 66, while prices of 14 companies remained unchanged. The turnover at the port city bourse stood at around Tk 10 crore in the first half of trading.    

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) on Monday has announced revised trading hours for the capital market during the holy month of Ramadan. In a notice issued at morning, the premier bourse said trading will take place from 10:00am to 1:40pm throughout Ramadan. The post-closing session will be held from 1:40pm to 1:50pm. However, the DSE’s official office hours will run from 9:00am to 3:30pm during the month. It said normal trading hours will resume after the end of Ramadan and the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays. At that time, trading will continue from 10:00am to 2:30pm, as per the regular schedule. Earlier, Bangladesh Bank also announced revised office and transaction hours for banks during Ramadan. Post-election stability boosts stocks; DSE posts 5-month high turnover Under the new schedule, banking transactions will be conducted from 9:30am to 2:30pm, Sunday through Thursday. Banks will remain open from 9:30am to 4:00pm, while Friday and Saturday will continue to be weekly holidays.  

Bangladesh Capital Market Investor Association (BCIA) on Sunday expressed optimism that Bangladesh’s capital market will rebound within the next six months if the newly elected BNP government takes prudent and timely measures. In a statement congratulating the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for its landslide victory and absolute majority in the 13th parliamentary election, the investors’ body said the government’s first six months in office would be crucial for rebuilding the economy. BCIA said it firmly expects that the ruling party and a strong opposition will work in coordination to restore the fragile banking system, the battered capital market and the overall struggling trade, commerce and financial management framework within this initial period. The organisation also voiced hope that government initiatives would revive public confidence, encouraging people to invest spontaneously across different sectors of the economy. Advising the new administration, BCIA stressed the need to appoint a financially integrated and dignified Finance Minister, a State Minister for Finance with practical knowledge of the capital market, as well as competent heads of key institutions including Bangladesh Bank, Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB) and the National Board of Revenue (NBR). Highlighting the stagnation in new listings, BCIA noted that while India saw 370 new IPOs over the past two years (2025–2026), not a single company was listed in Bangladesh during the same period. Stocks surge as DSE turnover crosses Tk 500 crore in first half It urged the government to ensure effective coordination among relevant institutions from day one and expedite the listing of at least two to three multinational and profitable state-owned companies to inject fresh momentum into the market and restore investor confidence. The association also pledged that over the next five years, it would work in partnership with the government to contribute positively to the country’s financial sector and support the administration in achieving its highest level of success.

Dhaka Stock Exchange PLC (DSE) and Impact Investment Exchange (IIX) on Sunday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on introducing and promoting Orange capital instruments, including Orange Bonds and Sukuk, in Bangladesh’s capital market. The MoU was signed at the DSE boardroom by DSE Managing Director Nuzhat Anwar and IIX Founder and CEO Prof Durreen Shahnaz. Under the agreement, DSE will explore facilitating the listing of Orange Bonds and Sukuk under a dedicated thematic or sustainable finance category, subject to regulatory approvals.  The initiative aims to position Orange instruments as credible thematic debt securities within Bangladesh’s capital market. Symbolising the colour of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) on gender equality, the Orange Movement seeks to mobilise $10 billion globally at the intersection of gender equality and climate action. “Capital markets play a vital role in channeling long-term finance toward national development priorities,” said Nuzhat Anwar, adding that the collaboration reflects DSE’s commitment to deepening the market and supporting sustainable financial instruments that deliver measurable social and environmental outcomes alongside financial returns. Prof Durreen Shahnaz said Bangladesh stands at a critical juncture in realigning its financial markets with inclusive economic growth priorities. “We look forward to collaborating with DSE to jointly advance the Orange capital market, championing gender equality and climate action while strengthening trust, transparency and credibility in Bangladesh’s financial system.” The partnership will combine IIX’s global experience in impact investing and gender-lens finance with DSE’s central role in developing the country’s capital market ecosystem. The MoU also outlines plans for joint advocacy, market promotion and capacity-building initiatives, including workshops, investor engagement programmes and policy dialogues with regulators, financial institutions and development partners. All activities will be carried out in line with Bangladesh’s regulatory framework and subject to approval by the relevant authorities. Founded in 2009, IIX operates in 60 countries and has mobilised nearly $500 million in private capital, impacting more than 185 million lives and avoiding over 1.9 million metric tons of carbon emissions through its impact-driven financing initiatives. Officials from both organisations and representatives from market intermediaries were present at the signing ceremony.

Trading at Bangladesh’s capital market opened on a strong note on Sunday, with turnover on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) crossing Tk 500 crore within the first half of transactions. Market activity picked up sharply after a four-day weekly break following the 13th national parliamentary election, as investor participation rose significantly from the opening bell. During the first half, the benchmark DSEX index advanced by 127 points. The Shariah-based DSES index gained 27 points, while the blue-chip DS30 index climbed 53 points. From the morning session, trading volume remained notably higher than usual. On most trading days, first-half turnover typically struggles to cross Tk 300 crore, but Sunday’s figure comfortably exceeded Tk 500 crore. Bangladesh’s incoming govt takes office with economy at crossroads At the DSE, share prices of 350 companies rose, while 25 declined and 14 remained unchanged. Meanwhile, at the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE), the overall CASPI index jumped 252 points in the first half of trading. At the port city bourse, prices of 98 companies advanced against declines in seven, while shares of five companies remained unchanged. The turnover at the CSE stood at over Tk 6 crore during the same period.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has welcomed a significant new trade agreement between Bangladesh and the United States, signed today (Tuesday) following nine months of intensive bilateral discussions. The agreement introduces a strategic reduction in reciprocal tariffs and provides a major boost for garments made from USA raw materials. In its initial response, BGMEA expressed sincere gratitude to the USA Government and the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), as well as to Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus and the interim government’s leadership for their roles in achieving this milestone. BGMEA secures special healthcare benefits for members Reciprocal Tariff Reduction: The standard tariff on Bangladeshi products in the U.S. market will be reduced from 20 percent to 19 percent. Zero-Tariff Provision: Notably, garments manufactured in Bangladesh using cotton and man-made fibers imported from the United States will be exempt from reciprocal tariffs. Market Expansion: BGMEA believes these provisions will significantly enhance Bangladesh’s competitive edge and access to the USA market. To maximize these benefits, BGMEA emphasized the need for local spinners to ensure competitive yarn pricing, particularly since USA cotton is of superior quality but comes at a higher cost. The association also noted that ensuring the traceability and proper valuation of USA origin raw materials will be critical for exporters. BGMEA Instructs Factories Not to Respond to RSC Letters on Non-OSH Complaints

Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin on Tuesday said that the government is trying to resist further declines in potato and egg prices to avoid hurting farmers, underscoring a policy push to balance producer viability with consumer affordability. Speaking at a press conference at the Ministry of Commerce in the afternoon, he said prices of potatoes and eggs in the local market are currently at a ‘normal’ level and the overall market situation remains stable ahead of Ramadan. “The market is now more stable compared to other times. Compared to last Ramadan, prices of essential commodities are expected to be lower in the upcoming Ramadan,” he said. Expedite trade facilitation roadmap implementation for LDC graduation: Sk Bashir Claiming there is no shortage or disorder in the market, the adviser said discipline has returned to the market as a result of various initiatives taken by the Ministry of Commerce. “We have been saying repeatedly, and we are saying it again, that the upcoming Ramadan will be better than the previous one.” Referring specifically to potato and egg prices, Bashir said he does not want prices to decline further. “Eggs are selling at Tk 120 per dozen and potatoes at Tk 30 per kg. If prices fall below this level, farmers will be affected.” To protect small-scale poultry farmers, he stressed the need to fix egg prices in line with feed costs. “Prices must be determined after considering all relevant factors.” Replying to a question on alleged syndicates in the meat market, the adviser said the government deliberately refrained from importing beef to reduce prices, as such a move would have harmed local cattle farmers. “We could have imported meat from Brazil at half the current price if we wanted to. But the government chose not to do so, keeping farmers’ interests in mind,” he said, adding that while some corporate dominance exists in the egg market, no such control is evident in the meat sector. He also noted that there has never been a supply shortage in the egg market. “When egg prices rose to Tk 180 per dozen, the Ministry of Commerce approved the import of 290 million eggs. However, only 1.1 million eggs were actually imported—an amount that can meet national demand for just 10 to 15 minutes, given a daily demand of around 50 million eggs.” On his last working day, Bashir acknowledged that there were shortcomings but said there was no lack of effort in controlling the market. “There is no visible crisis in the market. Overall, the prices of eggs, potatoes, rice, pulses, sugar and edible oil are at a tolerable level,” he said, adding that monitoring and investigations into edible oil prices are continuing regularly. Second round of tariff talks with US ‘encouraging’: Sk Bashir

Bangladesh’s capital market recorded its highest daily turnover of 2026 on Tuesday, the last trading day before a four-day closure due to the national election and the weekly holidays. The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) saw transactions worth nearly Tk 800 crore, the highest so far this year. Trading began on a positive note in the morning, with turnover crossing Tk 300 crore within the first two hours. By the end of the session, the total turnover stood at Tk 790 crore. Previously, the highest turnover this year was Tk 746 crore on February 2. With Tuesday’s performance, the market has crossed Tk 700 crore in daily turnover on three occasions so far in 2026. All indices posted gains during the day. The benchmark DSEX surged by 87 points, while the Shariah-based DSES rose by 19 points and the blue-chip DS30 advanced by 27 points. Stocks surge in early trading at DSE, CSE Most listed companies ended higher, as share prices of 288 companies increased against declines in 67, while prices of 37 companies remained unchanged. In the block market, shares of 26 companies worth Tk 23 crore were traded, with Apex Spinning and Knitting Mills Limited topping the list by selling shares worth Tk 8 crore. Al-Arafah Islami Bank PLC topped the DSE gainers’ chart with a 10 percent rise, while Keya Cosmetics Limited was the day’s worst performer, losing around 5.5 percent. The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also witnessed a strong rally, with its overall index CASPI jumping by 241 points. On the CSE, prices of 166 companies advanced against declines in 24, while 13 issues remained unchanged. The total turnover at the bourse stood at Tk 9 crore, up from Tk 8 crore in the previous session. Apollo Ispat Complex Limited emerged as the top gainer on the CSE with a 10 percent rise, while Global Heavy Chemicals Limited ended at the bottom, shedding more than 9 percent.

Bangladesh’s stock market witnessed a strong rally in the first half of trading on Tuesday, with key indices posting sharp gains on both the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE). On the third working day of the week, the DSE’s benchmark index DSEX advanced by 54 points. The Shariah-based DSES index rose by 11 points, while the blue-chip DS30 index gained 13 points. Most of the listed companies traded higher, as prices of 297 shares increased against 48 that declined, while 47 issues remained unchanged. The turnover at the DSE crossed Tk 300 crore in the first half of the session. Stocks trade higher as indices rise at DSE, CSE Trading also remained buoyant at the CSE, where the overall index CASPI jumped by 145 points. The share prices of 85 companies rose, while 14 declined and 10 remained unchanged. The port city bourse recorded a turnover of more than Tk 1.60 crore during the first half of trading.

Asian stock markets mostly advanced on Tuesday, led by strong gains in Japan as investor confidence improved following a landmark election victory. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 jumped 2.6 percent to 57,821.58, setting a new record. The index extended its rally from Monday, when it surged after the ruling party’s landslide win in parliamentary elections cleared the way for Sanae Takaichi to become the country’s first female prime minister. Investors are betting that the new leadership will push ahead with economic reforms that could support growth and corporate earnings. Elsewhere in the region, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.3 percent to 8,893.60, while South Korea’s Kospi gained 0.6 percent to 5,327.80. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng climbed 1.0 percent to 27,300.00, and China’s Shanghai Composite added 0.2 percent to 4,130.20. On Wall Street, US stocks closed higher, coming off their strongest session since May, although concerns remain that equity valuations have become stretched after the recent rally. The S&P 500 rose 0.5 percent to 6,964.82, edging closer to its all-time high. The Nasdaq composite gained 0.9 percent, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average was little changed. Investors continue to watch whether massive spending on artificial-intelligence technology by major companies will deliver sufficient returns. Still, optimism around the sector lifted chipmakers, with shares of Nvidia and Broadcom posting solid gains. January export earnings dip slightly amid mixed global trends In the bond market, US Treasury yields were largely steady ahead of key economic data later this week, including reports on employment and inflation. The data could shape expectations for future interest-rate moves by the US Federal Reserve. Gold prices rose 2 percent to $5,079.40 per ounce amid continued volatility, while silver posted a sharp jump. Bitcoin hovered just below $71,000 after recent swings. Oil prices were little changed in early Asian trading, and the US dollar edged slightly lower against the Japanese yen, while the euro also weakened modestly against the dollar.