Stocks
BSEC Issues New Guidelines for ATB Transactions
The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), the regulatory authority for the stock market, has issued new directives for the trading of shares of companies listed on the Alternative Trading Board (ATB).
On Monday (May 20), BSEC released the guidelines, stating that for the first trading day, the circuit breaker will be set at 5% above the fair value, as determined by Schedule A, Appendix 2 of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) regulations. If no trades occur within the first six months, the selling broker will initiate an offer based on a price set by the seller.
In cases where there are no trades, the seller can set any offer price, provided it does not exceed the fair value calculated under Schedule A, Appendix 2.
From the second transaction onward, the regular circuit breaker will be 5% above the previous day’s closing price or the open adjusted price.
Additionally, the value of shares traded on the ATB cannot exceed 30% above the fair value at any time.
All equity securities traded on the ATB platform will be settled on a T+4 basis.
A listed security issuer will not be eligible for listing on the ATB if the company has increased its paid-up capital by issuing bonus shares from retained earnings within the two years prior to the application date to the stock exchange.
Before and after listing on the ATB, the issuer’s most recent financial statements must be audited by a panel of auditors as declared by the stock exchange for ATB listing.
These directives override provisions of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (Alternative Trading Board) Regulation, 2022, and clauses (e), (f), and (g) of sub-regulation 9 of the Chittagong Stock Exchange (Alternative Trading Board) Regulations.
The new guidelines are effective immediately.
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.
One of the Listed companies, Beacon Pharmaceuticals PLC has recommended 20% Cash dividend and 10% Cash Dividend to Sponsor Shareholder and Directors for the year ended June 30, 2024.
It has reported EPS of Tk 2.26 paisa, and NAV per share of Tk. 26.37 for the year ended June 30, 2024.
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company will be held on December 23, through the digital platform. The record date for this has been fixed at October 27.
The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has removed three audit firms from its panel for their failure to secure enlistment with the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), according to a notice issued today.
The firms—A Hoque & Company, FAMES & R, and SK Barua & Company Chartered Accountants—were delisted following the FRC’s request. In December last year, the FRC published a list of enlisted audit firms and subsequently, in February, requested the BSEC to remove any firms that were not included on that list.
BSEC regulations mandate that financial statements signed by auditors outside its approved panel will not be accepted. With the removal of these three firms, the total number of audit firms on the BSEC panel has been reduced from 48 to 45.
Sources from the FRC revealed that 15-20 audit firms failed to secure enlistment last year, and approximately 45 chartered accountants are currently under restrictions imposed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Although the delisted firms can no longer audit issuer companies or listed securities, they are allowed to complete audit and assurance services that were initiated before their removal, the BSEC clarified.
