Stocks
Asian Markets Gain as Investors Bet on Fed Rate Cut Amid Job Figures
Most Asian markets climbed on Monday following data indicating fewer US jobs were created last month, renewing optimism that interest rates may be cut this year. Mainland Chinese equities also bounced on hopes for fresh government economic support.
A tech rally propelled the Nasdaq, leading Wall Street up after Friday’s non-farm payrolls figures. The data helped allay concerns that high inflation figures earlier in the year would keep borrowing costs at elevated levels.
April’s NFP report revealed 175,000 new jobs, significantly lower than the previous month and falling short of expectations. Wage growth was also slightly lower than forecast.
While the figures indicated a slowdown in the world’s second-largest economy, they did not raise fears of an impending recession.
The news increased bets on the Fed cutting rates in September, with investors revising their outlook. However, the anticipated rate cuts remain below the six initially envisaged at the start of the year.
“The softer wage growth and a slight increase in unemployment may ease some of the Federal Reserve’s concerns about implementing rate cuts this summer,” said Stephen Innes at SPI Asset Management.
Wall Street’s gains on Friday, along with another record for London, provided Asian investors with a positive lead, prompting most markets to follow suit.
Shanghai stood out as mainland investors returned from a long break, catching up with the global rally of the past few days. Traders also welcomed reports of potential measures to support China’s property sector and provide fresh support to the economy.
Market sentiment appeared to be incrementally improving, with factors such as improving traveler figures, market reforms, and strong corporate releases cited by Nicholas Yeo of abrdn.
Hong Kong extended recent gains into a tenth successive trading day, while Sydney, Singapore, Taipei, and Manila also posted gains. Wellington and Jakarta experienced slight declines.
The dollar strengthened against the yen, recovering some of the losses it incurred Friday following the US jobs report. The Japanese unit had a volatile week, hitting its weakest level in 34 years, prompting reported intervention in forex markets by authorities on Monday and Wednesday.
– Key figures around 0300 GMT –
Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: UP 0.2 percent at 18,505.51
Shanghai – Composite: UP 1.0 percent at 3,135.57
Tokyo – Nikkei 225: Closed for a holiday
Dollar/yen: UP at 153.75 yen from 152.99 yen on Friday
Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0765 from $1.0767
Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2549 from $1.2546
Euro/pound: UP at 85.79 from 85.78 pence
West Texas Intermediate: UP 0.4 percent at $78.38 per barrel
Brent North Sea Crude: UP 0.3 percent at $83.19 per barrel
New York – Dow: UP 1.2 percent at 38,675.68 (close)
London – FTSE 100: UP 0.5 percent at 8,213.49 (close)
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
One of the Listed companies, National Polymer Limited has recommended 10.50% Cash Dividend for the year ended June 30, 2024.
It has reported Consolidated EPS of Tk 2.27 paisa, and Consolidated NAV per share of Tk 30.63 for the year ended March 31, 2024.
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company will be held on December 18, through the digital platform. The record date for this has been fixed at October 22.
The Company also discloses its financial reports for the second quarter, (April – June 24).
As per the company’s consolidated life revenue account for April to June 2024, the excess of total income over total expenses, including claims (surplus), stood at Tk 1,394.24 million. This marks a significant increase from the surplus of Tk 823.68 million during the same period in 2023.
For the first half of 2024, from January to June, the company reported a surplus of Tk 2,177.57 million, compared to Tk 1,290.39 million in the corresponding period of the previous year.
Additionally, the Life Insurance Fund balance as of June 30, 2024, reached Tk 55,188.62 million, showing a net increase of Tk 5,892.25 million from Tk 49,296.37 million on June 30, 2023.
