Stocks
Asian Markets Mixed Amid Wall Street Slump, Investors Seek Catalysts
Asian Markets showed a mixed performance on Wednesday, following a negative trend on Wall Street. Observers are cautioning that the recent surge in equities might be losing momentum, and investors are eagerly awaiting fresh catalysts to reignite buying.
The subdued market activity across the region this week precedes key data releases from the US, including the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation and the upcoming corporate earnings season. Although the central bank hinted at three interest rate cuts this year, some investors are skeptical due to recent indicators and statements from policymakers.
Recent figures on February’s durable goods sales, released on Tuesday, indicated a healthy state of the world’s largest economy and a slight improvement in consumer confidence, albeit with less optimism about the future.
Upcoming releases include jobless claims, economic growth readings, and the crucial Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index on Friday. Analysts anticipate a modest uptick from January in the PCE index, which is not likely to unsettle markets significantly, although a significant deviation could raise concerns.
The following month marks the onset of earnings releases, which could profoundly impact sentiment. The recent market rally has been partly fueled by expectations for future profits, making corporate earnings performance crucial.
Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management remarked, “With market valuations at lofty levels, there’s little room for corporate earnings performance to falter or for the Federal Reserve to deviate from its anticipated course of three rate cuts. Any divergence from these expectations could potentially lead to market turbulence.”
On Wall Street, all three main indexes closed in negative territory, despite spending most of the day in positive territory. In Asian trading, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Seoul, Jakarta, and Wellington experienced declines, while Sydney, Singapore, Taipei, and Manila saw gains. Tokyo advanced by one percent, driven by a weaker yen fueled by comments from Bank of Japan board member Naoki Tamura, indicating a continued stance of easy monetary policy for now.
Dhaka Stock Market DSE, Bourse on the last working day of the week, 25th July, ended with a hike in Indices and Turnover from the previous working session. This information is known from DSE sources.
497 crore 34 lakh taka shares were traded on this day. 337 crore 97 lakh more tradings were done in DSE today compared to the previous workday, July 24th, Shares worth Tk 159 crores 37 lakh shares were traded last time, Wednesday.
The benchmark DSEX increased 62.81 points or 5,413 The Shariah-based index DSES added 13.81 points or 1,183 and the blue-chip index DS30 gained by 24.25 points or 1,932.
Of the issues traded, 286 advanced, 66 declined and 40 remained unchanged.
Techno Drugs Limited ranked top gainer on DSE, the share price increased by Tk 3.80 paisa or 9.87 percent. On this day, the share was last traded at Tk 42.30 paisa.
Rangpur Foundry Limited ranked top loser on the DSE, the share price dropped by Tk 5.40 paisa or 2.98 percent. On this day, the share was last traded at Tk 175.70 paisa.
DSE topped on trade is Square Pharmaceuticals PLC 35 crore 9 lakh takas of company shares have been traded.
A total of 28 companies’ shares were traded in the Block on Dhaka Stock Exchange. A total of 82 lakh 94 thousand 29 shares of the companies were traded. The financial value of which is 21 crore 92 lakh taka
One of the listed companies, Eastland Insurance Company Limited discloses its financial reports for the second quarter, (April – June 24).
The company’s earnings per share (EPS) Tk 0.27 paisa in Q2 of the current financial year (April – June 24). EPS was Tk. 0.41 for January-June 2024 as against Tk. 1.47 for the same period last year. EPS was Tk 0.80 paisa during the same period last year. NAV per share was Tk. 20.85 as of June 30, 2024.
One of the listed companies, Shahjalal Islami Bank PLC discloses its financial reports for the second quarter, (April – June 24).
The company’s Consolidated earnings per share (EPS) Tk 1.50 paisa in Q2 of the current financial year (April – June 24). Consolidated EPS was Tk. 1.50 for January-June 2024 as against Tk. 1.47 for the same period last year. EPS was Tk 0.80 paisa during the same period last year. Consolidated NAV per share was Tk. 20.85 as of June 30, 2024.
