Stocks
Markets bounce as MidEast fears ease, US inflation in view
Asian markets rose Monday, clawing back some of last week’s losses, as Middle East worries subsided while traders look ahead to the release of key US inflation data and corporate earnings.
With Iran downplaying Israel’s reported attack on the country, which came days after a drone and missile strike by Tehran, tensions between the regional rivals cooled.
While the situation remains tense, the lack of escalation over the weekend provided traders with an opportunity to pick up equities and helped push oil down.
The gains came despite a largely negative lead from Wall Street, where the Nasdaq shed more than two percent owing to hefty selling in tech giants including Amazon, Apple and Netflix.
Investors are now setting their sights on the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index, the Federal Reserve’s preferred gauge of inflation, which is due Friday.
The reading could play a major role in the central bank’s decision-making on interest rates and comes after a third successive month of above-forecast consumer price index figures.
The disappointing CPI data has dented hopes for a cut in June, while traders have scaled back their outlook for how many the Fed will make this year.
The PCE report is followed by the bank’s policy announcement next week, which will be pored over for clues about its next step.
Several officials have lined up to temper expectations for cuts, citing sticky inflation as well as a still-strong economy and labour market.
Chicago Fed boss Austan Goolsbee said last week that the battle against surging prices had stalled.
“Right now, it makes sense to wait and get more clarity before moving,” he said, warning that bringing inflation back to the bank’s two percent goal would likely take longer than initially thought.
Earnings from big-name firms including Google parent Alphabet, Tesla and Microsoft are also in play this week, with investors hoping for strong reports to back up a recent surge in equities.
– Key figures around 0230 GMT –
Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 0.7 percent at 37,334.97 (break)
Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: UP 2.5 percent at 16,625.93
Shanghai – Composite: UP 0.2 percent at 3,072.00
Dollar/yen: UP at 154.68 at 154.64 yen on Friday
Euro/dollar: UP at $1.0667 from $1.0658
Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2388 from $1.2373
Euro/pound: UP at 86.13 pence from 86.11 pence
West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.8 percent at $81.58 per barrel
Brent North Sea Crude: DOWN 0.8 percent at $86.62 per barrel
New York – Dow: UP 0.6 percent at 37,986.40 (close)
London – FTSE 100: UP 0.2 percent at 7,895.85 (close)
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.
