Stocks
British American Tobaccos’ Floor Price Restriction to be Lifted on March 4th
The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has declared the removal of the floor price restriction for British American Tobacco (BAT) Bangladesh stock, scheduled for March 4th. The directive, issued on February 6th, specified that the floor restriction for BAT Bangladesh shares would cease the day after the record date, set for March 3rd.
The floor price represents the lowest price designated by the securities regulator at which a stock can be traded. Following its enforcement for 18 months, the commission lifted the restriction for most stocks in January of this year.
Currently, BAT Bangladesh shares have been stagnant at the floor price of Tk518.70 each on the Dhaka bourse since September 2022.
BAT stands as the second-largest company by market capitalization, constituting 6.55% of the Dhaka Stock Exchange’s total valuation, with a current total market cap of Tk28,000 crore.
On February 8th, BAT Bangladesh announced a 100% cash dividend for its shareholders in 2023, marking the lowest dividend in over a decade. The multinational tobacco manufacturer reported a profit of Tk1,788 crore in 2023, a marginal increase from Tk1,787 crore in 2022.
Despite a similar profit, the company declared a dividend representing only 30% of last year’s total profit, a substantial decrease from the 200% cash dividend payout in 2022.
While dividend data for BAT Bangladesh was unavailable before 2010, the company was known for announcing generous dividends over the years.
According to available data, BAT Bangladesh reported earnings per share of Tk33.11 in 2023, a slight increase from Tk33.10 in the previous year.
BAT Bangladesh is scheduled to convene its annual general meeting on March 28th.
Operating factories in Dhaka and Savar, along with a green leaf threshing plant in Kushtia and a green leaf re-drying plant in Manikganj, BAT Bangladesh has invested more than Tk1,200 crore over the past three years to enhance production capacity and meet growing demand.
Although detailed annual financial statements are yet to be published, available data indicates that the company’s net turnover for the first nine months of 2023 grew by 10%, reaching Tk6,793 crore. During the same period, domestic cigarette sales witnessed a 10% year-on-year increase, totaling Tk6,493 crore. Additionally, leaf exports surged by 16%, amounting to Tk30 crore in the January-September period of 2023.
BAT exports cigarettes to various countries, with significant markets like China and the Maldives contributing substantially to the company’s global exports.
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
