Stocks
Asian Markets Slide Amid Concerns Over Prolonged High Interest Rates
Asian markets experienced a decline on Tuesday, driven by concerns about interest rates following hawkish remarks made by a senior Federal Reserve official, signaling that the central bank was likely to maintain higher rates for an extended period.
Despite a significant drop in the past year, inflation in the United States continues to remain stubbornly above the Federal Reserve’s long-term target of two percent. This has led the majority of Fed officials to predict the necessity of another rate hike later this year.
Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision, Michael Barr, conveyed his expectation at a conference in New York on Monday that interest rates would need to be kept at a “sufficiently restrictive level” for an extended period to control inflation. Barr’s comments align with the views of most of his colleagues, who recently lowered their expectations for the number of rate cuts in 2024, indicating an extended period of elevated rates.
Since March 2022, the Fed has increased its key lending rate 11 times, reaching a 22-year high. With inflation persistently exceeding its target, there is a consensus that “the Fed is gonna keep rates high and we are expecting higher rates for longer,” as noted by Xi Qiao, Managing Director for Wealth Management at UBS, in an interview with Bloomberg Television. However, this could potentially bring caution to the equity markets.
On Wall Street, trading ended with mixed results after a congressional deal was reached to avert an immediate US government shutdown. However, bond markets experienced a significant sell-off.
Stephen Innes from SPI Asset Management commented on the situation, stating, “Any ‘relief rally’ from the US government spending deal appears to have been short-lived as bond markets witnessed a deepening selloff, leading to rising yields across the curve.”
The yields on US Treasury bonds, especially the 10-year and 30-year bonds, remained notably high, reaching levels not seen in years. These Treasury bond yields are closely monitored as indicators of US interest rates.
Innes explained, “This yield surge reflects the market’s response to messaging from the Federal Reserve, indicating the central bank’s commitment to keeping borrowing costs elevated to combat inflation.”
Hong Kong led the decline in Asian equities on Tuesday, falling by nearly three percent as the market resumed trading following a holiday weekend. In contrast, the heavily indebted Chinese property giant, Evergrande, witnessed a stock price increase as it resumed trading in Hong Kong, days after its CEO was announced to be under criminal investigation.
Other Asian markets, including Tokyo, Sydney, Wellington, Singapore, Manila, and Bangkok, also saw declines, while Taipei and Jakarta remained relatively flat. Kuala Lumpur was the only market to register gains.
Dhaka Stock Exchange DSE, Bourse on the third working day of the week, December 5, ended with price Index hikes & turnover drops. This information is known from DSE sources.
460 crore shares were traded on this day. 31 crore 78 lakh less trading was done in DSE today compared to the previous workday, 4 December, Shares worth Tk 491 crores 78 lakh shares were traded last time, Monday.
The benchmark DSEX added 3.16 points or 6,247 The Shariah-based index DSES gained 1.79 points or 1,359, and the blue-chip index DS30 decreased by 0.65 points or 2,113.
Of the issues traded, 60 advanced, 94 declined and 170 remained unchanged.
Capitec Grameen Bank Growth Fund ranked top gainer on DSE, the share price increased by Tk 1.10 paisa or 10.00 percent. On this day, the share was last traded at Tk 12.10 paisa.
GQ Ball Pen Industries Limited ranked top loser on the DSE, the share price dropped by Tk 13.20 paisa or 7.51 percent. On this day, the share was last traded at Tk 162.60 paisa.
DSE topped on trade is Central Pharmaceuticals Limited 25 crore 58 lakh takas of shares of the company have been traded.
A total of 62 companies’ shares were traded in the Block on the Dhaka Stock Exchange, 41 lakh 30 thousand 415 shares of the companies were traded. The financial value of which is 18 crore 12 lakh taka.
Dhaka Stock Exchange DSE, Bourse on the second working day of the week, December 4, ended with price Index & turnover hikes. This information is known from DSE sources.
491 crore 78 lakh shares were traded on this day. 142 crore 77 lakh more trading was done in DSE today compared to the previous workday, 30 November, Shares worth Tk 349 crores 1 lakh shares were traded last time, Sunday.
The benchmark DSEX added 12.45 points or 6,244 The Shariah-based index DSES gained 1.92 points or 1,357, and the blue-chip index DS30 increased by 5.69 points or 2,114.
Of the issues traded, 107 advanced, 49 declined and 169 remained unchanged.
Bangladesh Autocars Limited ranked top gainer on DSE, the share price increased by Tk 13.10 paisa or 9.95 percent. On this day, the share was last traded at Tk 144.70 paisa.
Jute Spinners Limited ranked top loser on the DSE, the share price dropped by Tk 13.50 paisa or 4.13 percent. On this day, the share was last traded at Tk 313.10 paisa.
DSE topped on trade is Khulna Printing and Packaging Limited 27 crore 24 lakh takas of shares of the company have been traded.
A total of 54 companies’ shares were traded in the Block on the Dhaka Stock Exchange, 37 lakh 64 thousand 536 shares of the companies were traded. The financial value of which is 28 crore taka.
The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has undergone significant restructuring, bringing about substantial changes in the responsibilities of officials from commissioners to assistant directors. According to BSEC sources, this restructuring involves the reassignment of two commissioners, four executive directors, eight directors, two additional directors, and eight assistant directors to different departments.
As per BSEC, Professor Dr. Sheikh Shamsuddin Ahmed, the Commissioner has been assigned the responsibility of the Division of Issuer Companies Affairs, Corporate Finance, and Financial Literacy Division within the Market and Intermediaries Affairs Division. On the other hand, the Chief Accountant Division’s responsibility has been given to another BSEC Commissioner, M. Abdul Halim.
Additionally, Abdul Halim has been entrusted with the Market Intelligence and Investigation Division and Derivatives Division. Meanwhile, he will also oversee the duties of the Chief Accountant Division. BSEC Chairman Professor Shibli Rubayat-Ul-Islam will directly oversee the Administration and Finance Division and the Commission’s Secretariat Division.
Mohammad Anwarul Islam, the Executive Director of BSEC, has been assigned the responsibilities of the Derivatives and Research and Development Divisions. Simultaneously, he will be responsible for the Investment Management Division. Executive Director Mohammad Rezaul Karim will oversee the responsibilities of the Compliance Division in addition to his existing role in the Legal Division. Executive Director Mohammad Shafiul Azam has been assigned to the Financial Literacy Division. Executive Director Mohammad Jahangir Alam has been given charge of the Market and Intermediaries Affairs Division. Besides, the responsibilities of eight directors, two additional directors and eight assistant directors of BSEC have been redistributed.
BSEC Secretary Division’s responsibilities have been assigned to Director General Muhammad Mahmudul Haque. Director General Pradip Kumar Basak will continue to oversee the responsibilities of the Administration and Finance Division, with additional duties in the Accounts and Finance Department. Director General Mohammad Abul Kalam will manage the responsibilities of the Division of Issuer Companies Affairs, alongside his role as the Chief Accountant of the Division. Director General Md. Mansoor Rahman has been assigned the responsibility of the existing Issuer Company Affairs Division as well as the Market and Intermediaries Affairs Division. Director Mohammad Abul Hasan has been given the responsibility of the Investment Management Division and Derivatives Division.
The Division of Derivatives and the Derivatives Division will be led by Director General Sheikh Mahbubur Rahman. Furthermore, Director General Abu Rayhan Mohammad Mutasim will be in charge of the Internal Audit and Compliance Division, in addition to his role in the Research and Development Division. Director General Mohammad Fakhrul Islam Mojumdar will assume responsibilities for the Corporate Finance Division and the Enforcement Division. Lastly, Director General Mohammad Fakhrul Islam Majumder will head the Corporate Finance Division and the Enforcement Division.
