Stocks
Asian markets wobble ahead of Fed as China fears dent sentiment
Asian investors trod cautiously Monday as they struggled to build on recent equity gains, with debate swirling around how big an expected US interest rate cut will be this week, while sentiment was being dragged by worries about the Chinese economy.
The yen edged to a new high since December ahead of the Federal Reserve decision on Wednesday and a policy meeting at the Bank of Japan two days later.
Data showing US inflation slowed more than expected last month to its weakest pace since February 2021 has sparked fresh talk that Fed officials will announce a bumper 50-basis-point cut and continue easing into the new year.
However, while bets on such a move have risen, some analysts warned that it could send a signal that decision-makers are worried about the economy, particularly after two readings showing the labour market was softening.
While bank officials have played their cards close to their chest, they have hinted that they are willing to discuss a bigger cut, while former New York Fed chief Bill Dudley said he thought “there’s a strong case for 50”.
Michael Krautzberger at AllianzGI said: “The Fed, like other central bankers, are now focused on economic growth rather than inflation risks and becoming increasingly worried about being behind the curve on policy — cutting rates too late to avert a recession or sharper growth slowdown.
“Therefore, in our view, the risks of larger rate cuts at subsequent meetings this year cannot be discounted, especially if labour market activity deteriorates faster than currently expected and inflation continues to head towards target.”
All three main indexes on Wall Street pushed higher Friday, with the Dow and S&P 500 within a whisker of their record highs.
But Asian investors were unable to extend the rally, with Hong Kong, Singapore and Wellington down but Sydney, Taipei and Manila edging up.
Trade was muted by holidays in Tokyo, Shanghai, Jakarta and Seoul.
On currency markets the yen hit 140.43 per dollar, its strongest level since the end of December, while gold remained at all-time highs after hitting a record $2,586.10 per ounce Friday.
Traders are keeping tabs on developments in China after more weak data on credit, retail sales, industrial production and house prices stoked concerns about the state of the world’s number two economy.
The figures “collectively add to concerns that policy measures announced in recent weeks and months have so far failed to have any measurable impact in lifting economic growth thus far in the third quarter after the weak second quarter performance”, said National Australia Bank’s Ray Attrill.
He added that investors will be keenly watching the government’s upcoming Politburo meeting — the date of which has yet to be set.
In light of the latest batch of disappointing figures, the central bank outlined plans to support the economy, saying it will “make maintaining price stability and pushing for the mild rebound in prices an important consideration for monetary policy and meet reasonable financing demand for consumption in a more targeted way”.
The Fed’s decision is set to be followed by the BoJ on Friday, with most analysts expecting it to hold rates after a surprise hike at the end of July sparked turmoil on markets.
“A consecutive hike would likely be seen as too aggressive, especially given criticism that the BoJ’s hawkish stance contributed to global market turbulence in early August,” said IG analyst Tony Sycamore.
“That said, stronger-than-expected inflation and wage growth in Japan over the past month have given the BoJ confidence in a wage-price cycle that could keep inflation above two percent, paving the way for more policy tightening.”
– Key figures around 0230 GMT –
Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.6 percent at 17,271.92
Tokyo – Nikkei 225: Closed for a holiday
Shanghai – Composite: Closed for a holiday
Dollar/yen: DOWN at 140.53 yen from 140.76 yen on Friday
Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1088 from $1.1079
Pound/dollar: UP at $1.3141 from $1.3125
Euro/pound: DOWN at 84.37 pence from 84.40 pence
West Texas Intermediate: UP 0.5 percent at $68.98 per barrel
Brent North Sea Crude: UP 0.4 percent at $71.86 per barrel
New York – Dow: UP 0.7 percent at 41,393.78 (close)
London – FTSE 100: UP 0.4 percent at 8,273.09 (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.
