Analysts say risks are far from over
Stocks rebounded for the second day amid optimism that support from market intermediaries and the government would continue.
Indices bounced more than 400 points shortly after opening of trade yesterday, as prices of shares started hitting the days’ highest limits, spurred by a mood to retain shares to get better returns or minimise losses from the previous free-fall.
The upbeat mood continued through the day, allowing the benchmark DSE General Index (DGEN) to cross the 7,000 mark, or above the level registered before the quick plunge on January 19-20.
The DSE General Index (DGEN) surged 458.93 points or 6.72 percent to 7280.01, reflecting a 15 percent rise since the January 20 level.
The markets are yet to return to normal. Rather such a free ride in share prices might again be risky, analysts said.
“A 6-7 percent variation in index for a day shows that the market is highly unstable,” said Mirza Azizul Islam, former chairman of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He said the consistent spike in share prices is not a good sign.
“It appears that investors have not learnt the lesson. Prices of almost all the shares are going up. But experienced investors should now be able to discriminate between issues,” he said.
“There are still reasons to be apprehensive,” he said.
On the day, turnover almost trebled to Tk 587 crore yesterday from Tk 206 crore a day ago, due to increased participation of institutional investors.
Bangladesh Bank continued to relaxed grips on liquidity to help merchant banks and other intermediaries recover from the fund crunch.
Analysts linked the post-debacle rebound to the gradual restoration of confidence among investors who banked on hopes that government would maintain its support to stabilise the market.
“The next week is a test case. It cannot be said that the market has become stable until there is a significant rise in transaction volume,” said Mahmood Osman Imam, professor of finance at Dhaka University.
One positive sign is that turnover has increased. “The rise in turnover reflects that the market is moving towards normalcy,” he said.
On the day, prices of 89 percent out of 256 issues traded advanced. Some 25 slipped and three closed unchanged at the Dhaka Stock Exchange, the main bourse.
Beximco ruled the turnover board followed by state-run Titas Gas, National Bank Ltd, telecom giant Grameenphone and Bextex, a concern of Beximco Group.
BEXIMCO gained 8.68 percent to Tk 309.10. The remaining four issues on the turnover board also ended higher.
The latest recovery in share prices also pulled the market capitalisation above the level of January 20, the day the DSE recorded the quickest ever slide.
In the past two days’ turnaround, market capitalisation increased by Tk 35,473 crore to Tk 319,084 crore.
Yawer Sayeed, chief executive of asset management firm AIMS of Bangladesh said investors are regaining confidence, but there are risk factors. Many investors are still on the sidelines and are observing the market movement, he said.
Indices on the Chittagong Stock Exchange also went up. Of the issues traded, 174 rose, 13 lost and 10 finished unchanged.
