Dhaka stocks fall as investors stare at city polls affairs

Dhaka stocks returned to the negative zone on Wednesday after a bull run in the previous trading session due to profit-taking share sell-offs in late trading amid an apprehension that the political situation might worsen again with the cancellation of mayoral candidature of two BNP-backed aspirants by the Election Commission.

The key index of Dhaka Stock Exchange, DSEX, fell by 0.38 per cent, or 17.37 points, to close at 4,513.10 points.

The turnover, a key indicator of the market, also declined to Tk 359.71 crore on the day compared with that of Tk 452.72 crore in the previous trading session. The turnover at the bourse had hit its four-month high on Tuesday following talks about formation of a forum to sort out the problems of the capital market-related entities.

Market operators said the market began the day on a positive note but failed to sustain the vibe amid profit-taking share sell-offs in late trading session.

Besides, investors were apprehending that the rejection of candidature of Abdul Awal Mintoo for the mayoral post of the Dhaka North City Corporation by the Elections Commission on Wednesday would be a factor in making the BNP’s final decision on its participation in the city corporation polls, they said.

Investors who were on the sidelines for the last couple of months have become active recently on the trading floor amid expectation that the political situation would ease with the BNP-backed candidates duly submitting nomination papers to the Election Commission, operators said.

The Shariah index of the bourse, DSES, fell marginally by 0.40 per cent, or 4.46 points, to close at 1,098.66 points on the day.

DS30, the blue-chip index of the DSE, declined to 1,719.88 points, shedding 0.49 per cent or 8.59 points.

‘The DSEX fell by 17 points today [Wednesday], reversing the day’s robust start,’ IDLC Investments said in its daily market commentary.

It said impatience and uncertainty on the part of the investors could be the main catalysts behind the current zigzag move in the index.

‘Investors maintained their interest on particular stocks and sectors as pharmaceuticals captured 19.2 per cent of the total turnover,’ said IDLC.

‘Today’s trading session started with a positive mood, but at the end of the day it ended up in the red territory as prices of most of the large cap stocks declined on the day,’ LankaBangla Securities said in its daily market analysis.

MJL Bangladesh led the turnover leaders on the day with its shares worth Tk 22.31 crore changing hands.

Square Pharmaceuticals, Grameenphone, ACI Limited, Shasha Denims, BEXIMCO, Lafarge Surma Cement, Saif Powertec, Khulna Power and IFAD Autos were among the other turnover leaders.

AB Bank 1^st Mutual Fund gained the most on the day with a 9.09-per cent increase in its share price, while Jute Spinners was the worst loser on the day, shedding 9.62 per cent. (Source: New Age, April 2, 2015)

Dhaka stocks slide on fresh political worries

Dhaka stocks went negative on Monday after investors’ heavy buying spree in last two trading sessions amid enforcement of 48-hour strike by the BNP-led allies that made investors skeptical about the party’s stance on city corporation elections.

The key index of Dhaka Stock Exchange, DSEX, fell by 1.07 per cent, or 48.79 points, to close at 4,509.28 points on the day.

Investors became skeptical about BNP’s stance on the city corporation elections as the party on Sunday evening called a 48-hour strike from Monday excluding Dhaka and Cittagong, market operators said.

Investors since the declaration of election schedule for three city corporations have been keeping close eye on BNP’s stand regarding elections, they said.

Operators said that investors were thinking that BNP’s participation might ease the political situation while their boycott of the election might result in extension of the political unrest.

Investors on Sunday went for heavy buying of shares as the main opposition did not declare any strike on Saturday breaking last three months’ trend of their movement.

The market was on the decline for last three months as the BNP-led alliance since January 5, the first anniversary of the one-sided elections, continued to enforce strikes except the weekly holidays supplementing countrywide nonstop blockade.

DS30, the blue-chip index of the bourse, declined at 1,717.48 points, adding 1.17 per cent or 20.39 points on Monday.

The Shariah index of DSE, DSES, closed at 1,096.69 points, slipping by 1.30 per cent or 14.54 points.

Turnover of DSE declined to Tk 314.93 crore on Monday compared with that of Tk 393 crore in the previous trading session.

Of the 306 shares and mutual funds traded on the day, 76 advanced, 198 declined and 32 remained unchanged.

Grameenphone led the turnover chart on the day as its shares worth Tk 28.54 crore changed hands.

ACI Limited, Shasha Denims, Lafarge Surma Cement, IFAD Autos, MJL Bangladesh, Pharma Aids, Western Marine Shipyard, Square Pharmaceuticals and ACI Formulations were among other turnover leaders.

Pharma Aids gained the most with a 7.46-per cent increase in its share prices, while One Bank was the worst loser, shedding 18.59 per cent. (Source: New Age, March 31, 2015)

Samsung Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge pre-booking begins in Bangladesh

Samsung Mobile Bangladesh has launched the pre-booking offer for its entirely redefined smartphones, the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge. Creating a new standard for design, craftsmanship and performance, the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge seamlessly blend premium materials with the most advanced Samsung technology to offer consumers an unmatched mobile experience. Pre-bookers of the phone will get free wireless charger, flexible EMI facilities, along with telecom operator offers.

Carefully crafted from metal and glass, the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge blend purposeful design with powerful features. The thin (6.8 mm/7.0mm edge) and lightweight (138g /132g edge) Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge integrate the most advanced, cutting-edge, Samsung core technology available today. The world’s first 14nm mobile processor with 64-bit platform, new LPDDR4 memory system and UFS 2.0 flash memory provides higher performance and enhanced memory speed with lower power consumption. Moreover, the world’s first mobile 1440P/VP9 hardware based decoder enables users to enjoy high resolution streaming video while also using less power. In addition, the 5.1-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED screen offers users the highest pixel density of 577ppi. Enhanced outdoor visibility with a brighter display (600cd/mm) lets consumers experience content without compromise – anywhere, any time.

The smartphones are equipped with an incredibly vivid, bright and fast front and rear camera. The F1.9 lenses and high resolution sensors on both front (5MP) and rear (16MP) cameras provide the most superior image quality in a smartphone, even in the dark.

With fully embedded WPC and PMA certified wireless charging technology, the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge are setting a new industry standard for universal wireless charging. The pre-bookers will get a wireless charger free with the device, using which they can easily charge their devices, no additional charging cover is required. The phones also sport incredibly fast wired charging, providing about 4 hours of usage after only 10 minutes of charging.

 To ensure state-of-the-art security, both the smartphones accommodate upgraded Samsung KNOX, end-to-end secure mobile platform, offering defense-grade features for real-time protection from potential malicious attacks.

Price of Galaxy S6 will be BDT 69,900 while S6 edge will cost BDT 79,900. Interested pre-bookers will have to deposit BDT 10,000 to confirm their pre-booking. The Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge is available in three color options – Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum and White Pearl. Pre-bookers will get wireless charger free. EMI facilities are also available for all leading Credit Cards.

Grameenphone customers pre-booking any of the flagship smartphones will also receive a clear back cover and exciting offers. Robi and Banglalink customers will receive attractive packages and special offers on data and talk time.

For more information, customers can call 09612-300300 (8AM-10PM, 7 days) or visit the official Facebook page of Samsung Mobile Bangladesh or the nearest Samsung Smartphone Café. (source: press release)

Grameenphone revamps internet packages

Grameenphone Ltd has re-configured its internet services into seven packages to better cater to the needs of the different customer segments. The packages are expected to support the company’s effort to provide “Internet for All” in Bangladesh.

Details of the packages were disclosed at a press meet today at a local hotel.

Allan Bonke, Chief Marketing Officer of Grameenphone introduced the packages.

Speaking on the occasion Alan Bonke said, “These packages are designed to cater the needs of different segments of the society. They are affordable and ensure efficient use of Internet. So our customers will be able to choose according to their needs.”

Grameenphone’s internet package sizes range from 4 MB small packs, for entry level users, to 20 GB packs for heavy users. The 4MB pack costing BDT 2 has a validity of two days. A 75 MB pack, priced BDT 30, has a 7-day validity. The 1 GB pack, designed for heavier users, will cost BDT 275 with a validity of 28 days.

Among the other packages introduced was a 250 MB pack, priced at BDT 99, a 2 GB pack for BDT 350, a heavy browsing pack for BDT 950, and a 20 GB pack for BDT 2000. While the 20 GB pack has a validity of 30 days, the other three packages have a validity of 28 days.

Subscribers need to dial *5000# or send an SMS to 5000 with the specified package code to activate the packages. Packages will be applicable for both 3G and 2G coverage areas. All packages, except the 20 GB pack, will enjoy 1 Mbps speed while in a 3G-network area, while the users of the 20 GB package will get 2 Mbps speed with 3G coverage areas. Outside 3G coverage areas all packages will be limited to 2G speeds.

Commenting on the company’s ‘Internet for All’ ambition, the CMO added “our ambition is not only to make sure that every person in Bangladesh has access to the internet, but that each person can find relevant content for themselves when they explore. The sky is the limit on what we can accomplish given the opportunity to reach for it.”

Grameenphone has an ambition to provide Internet for All in Bangladesh. The company believes that Internet is an empowering tool and data connectivity can help the customers pursue their respective goals more effectively. Also the spread of broadband internet directly effect the positive growth of GDP. Therefore the company put special emphasis on taking quality Internet around the country and making it useful and affordable for the people. (source: press release)

Bangladesh: GP re-launches service centre in Ctg

Dhaka, June 27 (The Daily Star): Bangladesh cricket team all-rounder Nasir Hossain yesterday re-launched Grameenphone Centre at GEC in Chittagong city.

The outlet is one of the most preferred GP service experience zones for local customers.

Shah Mohammad Ibrahim Azad, GP's Chittagong regional head, and Mohammad Ziaul Huda, head of GEC centre, also attended the event in Nasirabad.

Customers met Nasir during the daylong event and 10 lucky customers had dinner with Nasir at Peninsula Hotel in the city. Nasir is a brand ambassador of Grameenphone.