Stocks
Asia Stocks Rise Amid Focus on US Inflation Data
Equities mostly climbed in Asia on Wednesday after a subdued day on Wall Street, as investors focused on the imminent release of crucial US inflation data, which could significantly impact interest rate expectations.
Following last week’s robust jobs report, indicating a resilient economy, there’s apprehension on trading floors that a third consecutive overshoot in consumer prices might prompt the Federal Reserve to postpone rate cuts.
“The consumer price index is the critical number this week,” remarked Andrew Brenner of NatAlliance Securities. “The fear is that CPI has continued to be a thorn in the side of the Fed.”
He noted that market sentiment is strongly bearish.
Expectations for rate cuts this year have diminished from six at the year’s onset to possibly three, with some even considering zero. However, some argue that no rate cuts could be the price for sustained economic health and robust earnings.
Atlanta Fed chief Raphael Bostic struck a pragmatic tone on Tuesday when discussing the bank’s strategy. While reiterating a forecast of one reduction this year, he remained open to reassessment based on incoming data.
Responding to inquiries about the possibility of maintaining rates unchanged all year, he stated, “I do think the risks are balanced, and given that the US economy has been so robust and resilient… I can’t rule out the possibility that rate cuts may need to be postponed further.”
However, he also acknowledged, “if I started to receive different signals suggesting potential labor market distress, then I’d consider altering our policy stance and possibly cutting rates sooner.”
Krishna Guha at Evercore maintained optimism ahead of the CPI reading, suggesting that “the odds are the data will come in good enough to proceed.”
On Wall Street, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq registered modest gains, while the Dow dipped marginally.
In early Asian trading, Hong Kong surged over one percent, with Sydney, Taipei, and Wellington also in positive territory, although Shanghai edged lower.
Tokyo experienced declines as a stronger yen weighed on exporters. The currency strengthened against the dollar following less-dovish comments from Bank of Japan chief Kazuo Ueda.
The yen’s exchange rate, particularly against the dollar, has been closely monitored, with many observers identifying 152 yen per dollar as a threshold prompting authorities to intervene to support the Japanese currency.
Last month, the central bank raised interest rates for the first time since 2007, as inflation remains significantly above officials’ target, fueling speculation about future moves.
Addressing lawmakers on Tuesday, Ueda noted, “We must consider scaling back monetary easing if the underlying price trend aligns with our outlook.”
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
