Stocks
National Tea Sets New Subscription Date for Tk279.7cr Placement Shares
National Tea Company Limited, a publicly traded entity, has announced new subscription dates for its Tk279.7 crore placement shares. Originally slated for nearly a year ago, the subscription had been postponed by regulatory authorities but is now set to proceed following a recent court directive.
According to the company’s disclosure, the subscription period will run from June 19 to August 19 during banking hours. This follows a letter from the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) instructing the resumption of the capital-raising initiative, in compliance with a High Court order.
The primary objective of issuing these placement shares is to fuel business growth, finance working capital, and repay bank loans. However, due to a funding shortfall, the company has been unable to complete its modernization projects and other initiatives, resulting in decreased turnover caused by declining average sale prices in the auction market for its products.
Following the court’s directive, significant progress has been made in implementing the state-owned company’s plans.
In July of the previous year, Jakir Hossain Sarkar, a minor shareholder with just 10 National Tea shares, filed a writ petition with the High Court opposing the company’s scheme to issue fresh shares as approved by the BSEC, alleging unequal treatment of existing shareholders. The court later upheld the BSEC’s approval. Upon a petition by the market regulator, the Appellate Division’s chamber judge temporarily stayed the High Court’s order.
Shareholders have borne the brunt of these legal battles. After the record date, the price of National Tea shares dropped in anticipation of the increased number of shares, and the issuance of placement shares remained uncertain.
In April last year, National Tea received BSEC approval to raise its paid-up capital by issuing 2.34 crore shares at Tk119.53 each, inclusive of a Tk109.53 premium per share. The distribution plan allocated 1.24 crore shares to the government, Investment Corporation of Bangladesh, and Sadharan Bima Corporation at an average ratio of 4.43 new shares for each existing share. Sponsor-directors were allocated 13.8 lakh shares at a ratio of 3.21:1, and general shareholders were to receive nearly 96 lakh shares at a 2.85:1 ratio.
As of Wednesday, National Tea shares closed at Tk388.60 each on the Dhaka Stock Exchange. Founded in 1978 and listed on the capital market in 1979, National Tea cultivates, manufactures, and sells tea and rubber in the local market. The company’s average annual production is about 52 lakh kg of tea, most of which is sold through the Chattogram auction market.
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.
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.
