NBR agrees on tax sops
The National Board of Revenue, or NBR, has reached a consensus over offering a string of tax incentives to promote long-term debt market in Bangladesh. The incentives include withdrawal of upfront tax on debt securities, tax at source on trading stage of such tools and waiver of discriminatory tax measure on zero-coupon bonds. The NBR also agreed to review the existing discriminatory tax measure on zero-coupon bonds. Currently, tax is imposed on investment in zero-coupon bonds by financial institutions, but other organisations and individuals enjoy exemptions. Officials said the simplification of tax measures is under active consideration of the income tax wing of the board. Tax officials and other parties agreed to relax the measures in a meeting held on February 24 last. Currently, the NBR collects upfront tax at a rate of 5.0 per cent on profit, coupon or interest of debt securities or bond as per Income Tax ordinance, 1984, section 51. There is also .05 per cent tax at source on per transaction amount of secondary market trading as per income tax law. It is applicable to all types of securities.
Source: https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/first-page/nbr-agrees-on-tax-sops-1583170652
Capital mkt needs quality IPOs
The country’s capital market requires more companies having good fundamentals to enhance the market cap to GDP (gross domestic product) ratio like other neighbouring countries. The chairman of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) Md. Eunusur Rahman said this on Monday while the newly-formed board of the premier bourse made a courtesy call on the chairman of the securities regulator. Bangladesh has much scope of enhancing market cap to GDP ratio compared to neighbouring countries. We should work to turn the ratio into 100 per cent. The DSE’s board has been comprised of experienced independent directors who came from different sectors. Investors have much expectation on independent directors.
Source: https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/stock-corporate/capital-mkt-needs-quality-ipos-1583172610
FBCCI seeks to boost trade ties with France
Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) President Sheikh Fazle Fahim underscored the need for expanding trade ties with France to accelerate development activities in Bangladesh. FBCCI is working to increase trade relations with different countries across the world. France is one of the best trade partners of Bangladesh and the country is exporting different products, including RMG, leather and leather products, frozen fish, ceramic and medicines to the European countries.
Source: https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/trade-market/fbcci-seeks-to-boost-trade-ties-with-france-1583173544
Walton has great prospects. But questions hang over its IPO prospectus.
Local electronics giant Walton is, arguably, going through a purple patch. For instance, earlier this week, it flagged off shipments of 26,000 air conditioners to India’s Hyundai and also inaugurated its sprawling lift manufacturing plant, both of which are firsts for Bangladesh. There appears to be no end to its ambitions. But, funding is needed to achieve those goals, which is why the trailblazing homegrown electronics manufacturer has decided to turn to the capital market to raise Tk 100 crore. There is tremendous excitement around Walton Hi-Tech’s debut on the Dhaka Stock Exchange, which is why it is reasonable to assume it would be commanding a good premium. However, a deep dive into its financial reports doesn’t paint a clear, rosy picture. Walton Hi-Tech Industries showed a staggering 290.6 per cent surge in profits and 89.4 per cent jump in its turnover in the 2018-19 financial year — just before its listing on the stock market. In the 2017-18 financial year, the company’s profits and turnover had dropped 52 and 14.4 per cent year-on-year respectively. In the last financial year, Walton Hi-Tech’s sales to Walton Plaza rose 138.6 per cent to Tk 1,602 crore. After the sales, Walton Hi-Tech’s receivables from Walton Plaza stood at Tk 1,048 crore, which was Tk 440 crore a year earlier. The company’s prospectus shows its turnover rose to Tk 5,177.3 crore in the 2018-19 financial year, which was Tk 2,732.9 crore in the previous year. So, its turnover rose about Tk 2,444.35 crore in a space of 12 months.
Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/walton-has-great-prospects-questions-hang-over-its-ipo-prospectus-1875637
SME Products Fair will initiate tomorrow
The ‘National SME Products Fair 2020’ will kick off in the capital tomorrow (Wednesday), aiming to promote local products in the domestic and global markets. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the nine-day fair as the chief guest at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in the capital. The Small & Medium Enterprise Foundation (SME Foundation) will host the fair for the eighth time at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in the city. A total of 296 entrepreneurs — 195 women and 101 men — will showcase their products such as jute goods, agriculture, food and leather products, electronic and electrical items in 309 stalls.
Source: https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/trade-market/sme-products-fair-kicks-off-tomorrow-1583173434
Local and Global Stock Indices *
Index Name | Close Value | Value Change | Percentage Change |
---|
DSEX | 4,434.81668 | ↑ 24.89 | ↑ 0.55 % |
DJIA | 26,703.32 | ↑ 1,293.96 | ↑ 5.09% |
FTSE100 | 6,654.89 | ↑ 74.28 | ↑ 1.13 % |
Nikkei 225 | 21,356.99 | ↑ 12.91 | ↑ 0.06% |
World Commodities *
Commodity | Close Value | Value Change | Percentage Change |
---|
Crude Oil (WTI) | $ 48.08 | ↑ 1.33 | ↑ 2.84 % |
Crude Oil (Brent) | $ 53.21 | ↑ 1.31 | ↑ 2.52% |
Gold Spot | $ 1,598.05 | ↑ 8.61 | ↑ 0.54 % |
Major Currencies Exchange Rates Movement in Last Seven Days *
Exchange Rates |
---|
USD 1 | BDT 83.0923 |
GBP 1 | BDT 106.274 |
EUR 1 | BDT 92.2562 |
INR 1 | BDT 1.14403 |
*CURRENCIES AND COMMODITIES ARE TAKEN FROM BLOOMBERG.<