Stocks
Asian Stock Markets Slump as Investors Brace for Prolonged Rate Hikes
Global financial markets took a sharp nosedive on Tuesday as investors grew increasingly anxious about the possibility of another interest rate hike in the United States. Concerns were compounded by worries that these elevated rates might persist to combat stubbornly high inflation.
Despite a brief rebound on Wall Street, early Asian trading saw the dollar strengthen even further, driven by a surge in US Treasury yields to their highest levels in 16 years. This development reignited fears that the world’s largest economy could slip into a recession.
Adding to the uncertainty, lawmakers in Washington struggled to reach an agreement on spending, raising the specter of a government shutdown. This political deadlock prompted warnings that it could negatively impact the US credit rating. The recent surge in oil prices further fueled concerns that central banks’ efforts to curb inflation might be derailed after over a year of tightening measures.
Last week, the US Federal Reserve indicated that it could raise borrowing costs once again before the year’s end. This announcement dealt a blow to many market participants who had hoped that the interest rate hike in July would be the last for a while. Additionally, policymakers hinted that rates might need to remain at their highest levels in over two decades for an extended period.
Market analysts from the BlackRock Investment Institute believe that “rates will stay high” and that Treasury yields could continue to climb. They suggest that rising long-term bond yields reflect the market’s adjustment to increased macro and market volatility. The prevailing sentiment, as noted by National Australia Bank’s Tapas Strickland, is that rates will remain elevated for an extended period, reflecting the Federal Reserve’s stance.
In early Asian trading, major stock markets including Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei, and Wellington all experienced declines, reflecting the uncertainty gripping investors. The situation in China’s property sector also raised concerns, with the troubled developer Evergrande announcing that it had missed an onshore bond repayment.
On the currency front, the dollar remained near 11-month highs against the yen, prompting Japanese authorities to express their willingness to intervene if the dollar’s ascent becomes excessive. However, analysts do not anticipate a significant strengthening of the yen, given the Bank of Japan’s commitment to its ultra-loose monetary policy.
The ongoing political standoff in Washington, where hardline Republicans in the House of Representatives have blocked key spending bills, is causing unease among investors. If an agreement is not reached by the weekend, it could lead to a government shutdown, a scenario that Moody’s warns would have negative implications for the US’s top-tier credit rating.
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.
