Stocks
Asian stocks build on gains ahead of US inflation data
Asian stocks mostly rose again Tuesday as worries about a US recession that sent markets into turmoil last week eased ahead of key inflation data, while oil prices held gains on concerns about a broader war in the Middle East.
Tokyo’s Nikkei returned from a long weekend to lead the rally and briefly top the levels touched at the start of the month before last Monday’s rout, helped by a weaker yen and a Bank of Japan pledge not to hike interest rates further.
While the mood on trading floors has calmed since last week’s upheaval, investors remain cagey after a big miss on US jobs creation fanned concerns about the world’s top economy, while geopolitical concerns also remain a drag on sentiment.
And trade was cautious ahead of the release of US consumer and wholesale price figures this week that could play a role in the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decision-making.
Observers warned that the inflation readings could cause big market moves in either direction, with a weaker-than-expected print adding to worries about the economy, while a strong reading could dent rate-cut bets.
The Fed is also walking a thin line between nurturing growth and trying to bring prices under control, with some saying recent soft data suggests officials have waited too long to cut.
“One of the major risks is the timing and magnitude of the Fed’s rate cuts,” said ACY Securities’ Luca Santos.
“If the Fed delays easing monetary policy, the US economy could risk entering a deeper slowdown, leading to a potential recession.
“Conversely, if the Fed cuts rates too aggressively, it might reignite inflationary pressures or create financial market instability. Balancing these risks will be crucial for maintaining economic stability.”
After a tepid day on Wall Street, Asian markets swung in and out of positive territory to extend a strong start to the week.
Tokyo rose more than two percent — and briefly broke above the August 2 closing price before last Monday’s plunge — while Hong Kong, Sydney, Singapore, Wellington, Manila and Jakarta also rose.
Shanghai, Seoul and Taipei dipped.
Oil prices ticked down but remain up about eight percent for the week owing to fears of a possible spiralling conflict in the Middle East and an escalation of tensions in major producer Russia.
The White House warned Monday that a “significant set of attacks” by Iran and its proxies against Israel was possible as soon as this week after top leaders of Hezbollah and Hamas were assassinated in late July.
– Key figures around 0230 GMT –
Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 2.2 percent at 35,785.55 (break)
Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: UP 0.2 percent at 17,153.33
Shanghai – Composite: UP 0.1 percent at 2,860.62
Euro/dollar: UP at $1.0935 from $1.0931 on Monday
Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2771 from $1.2766
Dollar/yen: UP at 147.30 yen from 147.26 yen
Euro/pound: UP at 85.63 pence from 85.61 pence
West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.6 percent at $79.56 per barrel
Brent North Sea Crude: DOWN 0.6 percent at $81.80 per barrel
New York – Dow: DOWN 0.4 percent at 39,357.01 (close)
London – FTSE 100: UP 0.5 percent at 8,210.25 (close)
Dhaka Stock Market DSE, Bourse on the last working day of the week, 12th September, ended with a mixed performance in Indices and hike in Turnover from the previous working session. This information is known from DSE sources.
733 crore 39 lakh taka shares were traded on this day. 108 crore 23 lakh more tradings were done in DSE today compared to the previous workday, 11th September, Shares worth Tk 625 crores 15 lakh shares were traded last time, Wednesday.
The benchmark DSEX added 12.55 points or 5,726 The Shariah-based index DSES gained 4.76 points or 1,245 and the blue-chip index DS30 decreased by 7.05 points or 2,100.
Of the issues traded, 158 advanced, 181 declined and 58 remained unchanged.
Paper Processing & Packaging Limited ranked top gainer on DSE, the share price increased by Tk 12.80 paisa or 9.98 percent. On this day, the share was last traded at Tk 141.00 paisa.
Confidence Cement PLC ranked top loser on the DSE, the share price dropped by Tk -5.00 paisa or 6.82 percent. On this day, the share was last traded at Tk 68.30 paisa.
DSE topped on trade is Linde Bangladesh Limited 61 crore 65 lakh takas of company shares have been traded.
A total of 31 companies’ shares were traded in the Block on Dhaka Stock Exchange. A total of 41 lakh 19 thousand 413 shares of the companies were traded. The financial value of which is 54 crore 78 lakh taka.
The Financial Institutions Division (FID) under the Ministry of Finance has decided to terminate ATM Tariquzzaman from his role as commissioner at the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC). According to an official FID order issued on Wednesday (11 September), he will receive a three-month notice before his dismissal, with his tenure ending on 10 December.
Tariquzzaman had only been appointed as BSEC commissioner on 8 May, following his resignation as Executive Director of the commission. In September 2023, he briefly served as Managing Director of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) before stepping down to take the BSEC role.
The development comes in the wake of the fall of the Hasina-led government on 5 August, after which BSEC Chairman Shibli Rubayat Ul Islam, along with Commissioners Shaikh Shamsuddin Ahmed and Rubana Islam, resigned. However, Tariquzzaman and fellow Commissioner Mohsin Chowdhury chose not to relinquish their positions.
In response, the interim government appointed Khondoker Rashed Maqsood as BSEC chairman, with Ali Akbar and Farzana Lalarukh joining as commissioners.
The political transition also triggered upheaval in the Dhaka Stock Exchange. According to BSEC and DSE sources, seven independent directors of the DSE resigned following the fall of the previous government, creating legal complications for the commission in selecting replacements. The BSEC disregarded the DSE’s recommendations and on 1 September appointed independent directors unilaterally, sparking discontent among DSE shareholders who viewed the decision as arbitrary.
Sources indicated that ATM Tariquzzaman had played a significant role in BSEC’s decision-making, which included appointing independent directors KAM Majedur Rahman, Helal Uddin, and Nahid Hossain—all of whom faced allegations of conflicts of interest. Majedur and Helal were accused of having ties to brokerage houses, while Nahid Hossain, as Additional Secretary of the Financial Institutions Division, was deemed ineligible under the law to serve as an independent director. Majedur Rahman has since refused the position.
The DSE Brokers Association expressed concerns in a letter dated 5 September, accusing the BSEC of making “anti-investor, non-transparent, and self-serving” decisions, leading to instability in the capital market. The association called for a revision of the selection process for appointing independent directors, urging the invocation of Clause 24 of the Demutualisation Act 2013 to form a Nomination and Remuneration Committee with four elected DSE directors to recommend candidates for BSEC’s approval.
Dhaka Stock Market DSE, Bourse on the fourth working day of the week, 11th September, ended with a mixed performance in Indices and hike in Turnover from the previous working session. This information is known from DSE sources.
625 crore 15 lakh taka shares were traded on this day. 62 crore 43 lakh more tradings were done in DSE today compared to the previous workday, 10th September, Shares worth Tk 562 crores 72 lakh shares were traded last time, Wednesday.
The benchmark DSEX added 11.12 points or 5,713 The Shariah-based index DSES gained 5.56 points or 1,240 and the blue-chip index DS30 decreased by 6.92 points or 2,107.
Of the issues traded, 64 advanced, 289 declined and 44 remained unchanged.
Shinepukur Ceramics Limited ranked top gainer on DSE, the share price increased by Tk 1.60 paisa or 10.00 percent. On this day, the share was last traded at Tk 17.60 paisa.
Prime Textile Spinning Mills Limited ranked top loser on the DSE, the share price dropped by Tk 1.50 paisa or 9.32 percent. On this day, the share was last traded at Tk 14.80 paisa.
DSE topped on trade is Agni Systems Limited 32 crore takas of company shares have been traded.
A total of 33 companies’ shares were traded in the Block on Dhaka Stock Exchange. A total of 1 crore 10 lakh 62 thousand 781 shares of the companies were traded. The financial value of which is 36 crore 38 lakh taka.
