Stocks
Asian Stock Markets Slump as Investors Brace for Prolonged Rate Hikes
Global financial markets took a sharp nosedive on Tuesday as investors grew increasingly anxious about the possibility of another interest rate hike in the United States. Concerns were compounded by worries that these elevated rates might persist to combat stubbornly high inflation.
Despite a brief rebound on Wall Street, early Asian trading saw the dollar strengthen even further, driven by a surge in US Treasury yields to their highest levels in 16 years. This development reignited fears that the world’s largest economy could slip into a recession.
Adding to the uncertainty, lawmakers in Washington struggled to reach an agreement on spending, raising the specter of a government shutdown. This political deadlock prompted warnings that it could negatively impact the US credit rating. The recent surge in oil prices further fueled concerns that central banks’ efforts to curb inflation might be derailed after over a year of tightening measures.
Last week, the US Federal Reserve indicated that it could raise borrowing costs once again before the year’s end. This announcement dealt a blow to many market participants who had hoped that the interest rate hike in July would be the last for a while. Additionally, policymakers hinted that rates might need to remain at their highest levels in over two decades for an extended period.
Market analysts from the BlackRock Investment Institute believe that “rates will stay high” and that Treasury yields could continue to climb. They suggest that rising long-term bond yields reflect the market’s adjustment to increased macro and market volatility. The prevailing sentiment, as noted by National Australia Bank’s Tapas Strickland, is that rates will remain elevated for an extended period, reflecting the Federal Reserve’s stance.
In early Asian trading, major stock markets including Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei, and Wellington all experienced declines, reflecting the uncertainty gripping investors. The situation in China’s property sector also raised concerns, with the troubled developer Evergrande announcing that it had missed an onshore bond repayment.
On the currency front, the dollar remained near 11-month highs against the yen, prompting Japanese authorities to express their willingness to intervene if the dollar’s ascent becomes excessive. However, analysts do not anticipate a significant strengthening of the yen, given the Bank of Japan’s commitment to its ultra-loose monetary policy.
The ongoing political standoff in Washington, where hardline Republicans in the House of Representatives have blocked key spending bills, is causing unease among investors. If an agreement is not reached by the weekend, it could lead to a government shutdown, a scenario that Moody’s warns would have negative implications for the US’s top-tier credit rating.
Major General Mohammad Quamruzzaman (retd) has stepped down from his role as an independent director of the board of the Dhaka Stock Exchange, citing personal reasons.
He also served as a member of the DSE’s Nomination and Remuneration Committee (NRC).
Quamruzzaman was appointed to the DSE board on 1 September 2024, following the fall of the Awami League-led government. After serving for nearly one year and nine months, he submitted his resignation on Saturday (24 May).
Speaking to Quamruzzaman confirmed his resignation, saying, “Yes, I have resigned as an independent director for personal reasons.”
Md Shafiqur Rahman, Deputy General Manager of Public Relations and Publications at the DSE, said Quamruzzaman submitted a resignation letter mentioning personal reasons behind his decision.
“The DSE board will now take a decision regarding the resignation,” Shafiqur Rahman said.
He also indicated that Quamruzzaman may be planning to join another company, which could have influenced his decision to resign.
Earlier, another independent director of the DSE board, Shahnaz Sultana, also resigned from her position. She was likewise a member of the NRC.
According to the DSE annual report, Shahnaz Sultana is the CEO and Chief Consultant of FINS Alliance Risk Advisory and Consultancy and has served as the Founder and Chairperson of the WE Global Women Foundation since 2020.
The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has today approved appointment of Ms. Nuzhat Anwar as the new Managing Director of Dhaka Stock Exchange PLC. (DSE).
Ms. Nuzhat Anwar brings over two decades of experience in financial markets, banking, and development finance. Prior to her appointment, she worked at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, where she held multiple senior leadership roles across Africa and South Asia. Her positions included Resident Representative for Liberia and Sierra Leone, Senior Country Officer for Bangladesh covering Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal, and acting Cluster Manager during the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent transition period.
Ms. Anwar also served as an IFC Country Officer in Botswana and Namibia, where she played a key role in establishing IFC’s presence in Gaborone and advancing a sustainable investment program, including IFC’s first investment in Botswana. She offers deep expertise in capital management, treasury and liquidity, transaction services, portfolio optimization, and market advocacy. Earlier in her career, she spent 16 years with Citibank Bangladesh and Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh in various senior management roles.
Ms. Anwar holds a Master’s degree in Commerce (Finance) from the University of Dhaka.
On her appointment as the Managing Director of DSE, the Chairman of the Board of DSE Mr. Mominul Islam said, “We are pleased to receive the approval of BSEC for appointment of Ms. Anwar as the new Managing Director. Over the last one year the NRC and Board of have worked hard to recruit a competent leader as the MD of DSE. We are confident that Ms. Anwar, with her excellent leadership trait, vast experience in the financial sector in home and abroad and deep passion for transformation in the Capital Market of the Country, is the right candidate to lead DSE in the days ahead. Now, we will complete the internal processes to onboard Ms. Anwar at soonest.”
Dhaka Stock Market DSE, Bourse on the second working day of the week, 30th September, ended with a negative performance in Indices and a hike in Turnover from the previous working session. This information is known from DSE sources.
503 crore 90 lakh taka shares were traded on this day. 22 crore 58 lakh more tradings were done in DSE today compared to the previous workday, 29th September, Shares worth Tk 481 crores 31 lakh shares were traded last time, Sunday.
The benchmark DSEX lost 33.61 points or 5,624 The Shariah-based index DSES dropped 7.36 point or 1,263 and the blue-chip index DS30 decreased by 9.57 points or 2,053.
Of the issues traded, 72 advanced, 299 declined and 25 remained unchanged.
Shahjibazar Power Company Limited ranked top gainer on DSE, the share price increased by Tk 4.00 paisa or 9.76 percent. On this day, the share was last traded at Tk 45.00 paisa.
Dhaka Electric Supply Company Limited ranked top loser on the DSE, the share price dropped by Tk 1.80 paisa or 7.56 percent. On this day, the share was last traded at Tk 22.00 paisa.
DSE topped on trade is Pragati Life Insurance Limited 25 crore 35 lakh takas of company shares have been traded.
A total of 27 companies’ shares were traded in the Block on Dhaka Stock Exchange. A total of 1 crore 50 lakh 42 thousand 956 shares of the companies were traded. The financial value of which is 65 crore 60 lakh taka
