Stock Market

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has committed to providing a US$58 million long-term loan to Renata PLC, a leading pharmaceutical company in Bangladesh.

The aim is to bolster the country’s pharmaceutical sector and its capacity to deliver essential healthcare products.

This financing will help address the company’s critical working capital needs, offering essential liquidity support amid limited US dollar financing availability, as stated in a press release by the IFC on Thursday.

Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical industry is rapidly growing, meeting 98% of local demand and expanding its global footprint.

However, reliance on imported Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) can present challenges.

The statement noted that “IFC’s investment will help Renata secure these materials, enhancing the industry’s ability to provide uninterrupted access to critical medicines.”

Syed S Kaiser Kabir, CEO & Managing Director of Renata, stated, “In the context of USD liquidity constraints, the ongoing risk of further devaluation of BDT vs USD, and the ever-increasing cost of financing in Bangladesh, the IFC commitment to Renata will bring significant stability to our supply chain and support cost-effective manufacturing.”

The sector is a key driver of Bangladesh’s economy, with growing contributions through exports and skilled employment.

Imad N. Fakhoury, IFC Regional Director for South Asia, said, “IFC’s partnership with Renata will drive crucial growth and create jobs in Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical industry”.

By supporting Renata’s operations, he added IFC aims to help them maintain a robust supply chain, develop and register new products in international markets, and ensure the availability of essential medicines.

IFC Regional Director also said the partnership would bolster the competitiveness of Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical sector and solidify the country’s standing in the international generics industry.

The IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is committed to supporting private sector growth in Bangladesh, particularly in sectors critical to health, employment, and exports. This partnership with Renata reflects IFC’s strategic goal of driving sustainable growth and expanding Bangladesh’s impact in global markets. https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/public/stock-corporate/58m-ifc-loan-for-renata-to-help-address-working-capital-needs-1746724115

Renata

LafargeHolcim Bangladesh PLC, a frontline building material solutions provider, reported that its revenue grew by 3% to reach Tk851.50 crore in January-March quarter of 2025.

In a statement issued on Wednesday (7 May), the multinational said its profits declined by 16% year-on-year to Tk139 crore during the quarter, primarily attributable to elevated energy cost and softening in cement prices.

Iqbal Chowdhury, chief executive officer of LafargeHolcim Bangladesh, said, “In the first quarter, we achieved higher volume growth in two key business segments – cement and aggregates – reflecting our strong market performance and customer trust.”

He added that the “Water Protect” and “Fair Face”, two of the special cement products achieved an impressive growth of 27% which is a testament of consumer recognition of their unique strengths.

“However, our profitability was impacted by significantly higher energy costs and a softening in cement prices, both of which weighed on our margins. We are actively pursuing cost optimisation measures and exploring strategic pricing initiatives to address these challenges.”

He further said that our focus on innovation and portfolio diversification continued to yield results.

Iqbal Chowdhury said, “Leveraging our global platform, Geocycle, the company co-processed over 10,000 tons of diverse waste streams in the first quarter, substituting nearly 10% of fossil fuels and advancing our green growth agenda.”

The company remains dedicated to navigating current challenges with resilience and is optimistic that the strategic measures underway will drive improved performance in the periods ahead, he noted.

Its share price closed at Tk44.80 each on Wednesday at the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE).

Meanwhile, LafargeHolcim Bangladesh has announced the appointment of Rupali Haque Chowdhury as an independent director of the company. She is also the managing director of Berger Paints Bangladesh.

Christof Hässig, chairman of LafargeHolcim Bangladesh said in the press release, “We are delighted to welcome her to the board. Her extensive experience and leadership skills will be a valuable asset to our company as we continue to grow and expand our operations in Bangladesh.”

Earlier, in March, LafargeHolcim Bangladesh had announced a 38% cash dividend for 2024, amounting to around Tk441 crore.

The board recommended a 19% cash dividend as the final payout for the year, in addition to the 19% interim cash dividend already distributed based on the financial results for the first nine months.

The proposed dividend and audited financial report will be presented for approval at the annual general meeting, scheduled for 8 May.

LafargeHolcim Bangladesh is a joint venture of Holcim Group based in Switzerland and Cementos Molins of Spain.

https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/stocks/lafargeholcim-bangladesh-reports-tk851cr-revenue-q1-2025-1136656

UK-based multinational Reckitt Benckiser (Bangladesh) PLC reported an 11% year-on-year rise in revenue in the first quarter of 2025, driven mainly by product price hikes amid rising production costs, according to its financial statement.

From January to March, its revenue rose to Tk147.33 crore, up from Tk132.67 crore in the same period last year. However, net profit grew marginally by 1.12% to Tk15.33 crore, as rising input costs limited bottom-line growth.

Reckitt attributed its earnings to strong performance from its key brands including Dettol, Harpic, Veet, and Lizol. Its earnings per share (EPS) stood at Tk32.45, slightly up from Tk32.10 a year earlier.

The company reported that its cost of sales and operating expenses surged by around 14% year-on-year, due to sharp increases in the prices of core ingredients such as soap noodles and surfactant.

On Wednesday (7 May), its share price closed 2.34% lower at Tk3,405 on the Dhaka Stock Exchange. Despite a 16% decline since April, it remains the most valuable stock on the bourse.

Dividend declaration

Despite an 8% decline in net profit, Reckitt Benckiser announced a record-high 3,330% cash dividend for 2024. This means shareholders of the MNC will receive Tk333 per share for the year ended 31 December 2024.

According to market insiders, the final cash dividend for 2024 is the highest in the company’s history, surpassing the previous peak of 1,650% declared in 2021.

In 2023, it paid a 550% cash dividend, or Tk55 per share, to its shareholders, as per information available on the DSE.

To disburse the Tk157 crore in dividends for 2024, the company will have to spend approximately Tk82 crore from its retained earnings.

To approve the dividend, the Reckitt Benckiser will conduct its annual general meeting on 28 May through a digital platform. Investors who appeared on the record date which was scheduled for 29 April are eligible to participate in the meeting.

In 2024, Reckitt reported revenue of Tk546 crore, up 3.36% from the previous year. However, net profit declined by 8.33% to Tk75.20 crore. Its earnings per share dropped to Tk159.17 from Tk173.65 in 2023, according to its disclosure.

Reckitt Benckiser Bangladesh was incorporated on 15 April 1961 as Robinson’s Foods (Pakistan) Limited. After Bangladesh’s independence, the company was renamed Robinson’s Foods (Bangladesh) in August 1972. Later in 1986, the company’s name was changed to Reckitt & Colman Bangladesh Limited. Finally, following the merger of Reckitt & Colman and Benckiser, the name changed to Reckitt Benckiser (Bangladesh) on 9 November 2020. 

The company was listed on the Dhaka Stock Exchange in 1987.

Of the total shares of the company, Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC holds 82.96%, government 3.77%, institutional investors 5.78%, foreign investors 2.26%, and general investors hold 5.23%. https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/stocks/reckitt-benckiser-bangladesh-sees-q1-revenue-jump-profit-growth-slows-1136666

প্রকৌশল খাতের কোম্পানি জিপিএইচ ইস্পাত লিমিটেডের চলতি হিসাববছরের প্রথম প্রান্তিকে (জুলাই-সেপ্টেম্বর, ২০২২) শেয়ারপ্রতি লোকসান দাঁড়িয়েছে এক টাকা ৮২ পয়সা। অথচ আগের বছরের একই সময়ে মুনাফায় ছিল কোম্পানিটি। ঢাকা স্টক এক্সচেঞ্জ (ডিএসই) সূত্রে এ তথ্য জানা গেছে।

প্রাপ্ত তথ্যমতে, প্রথম প্রান্তিকে (জুলাই-সেপ্টেম্বর, ২০২২) কোম্পানিটির শেয়ারপ্রতি আয় (ইপিএস) হয়েছে এক টাকা ৮২ পয়সা (লোকসান), যা আগের বছরের একই সময়ে ছিল এক টাকা ৩ পয়সা। অর্থাৎ প্রথম প্রান্তিকে কোম্পানিটির শেয়ারপ্রতি আয় কমেছে ২ টাকা ৮৫ পয়সা। ২০২২ সালের ৩০ সেপ্টেম্বর তারিখে শেয়ারপ্রতি নেট সম্পদমূল্য (এনএভি) দাঁড়িয়েছে ২৬ টাকা ৯৮ পয়সা। আর প্রথম প্রান্তিকে কোম্পানির শেয়ারপ্রতি নগদ অর্থপ্রবাহ (এনওসিএফপিএস) হয়েছে ১০ টাকা ৫৭ পয়সা (ঘাটতি), যা আগের বছরের একই সময়ে ছিল এক টাকা ২৯ পয়সা (ঘাটতি)।

কোম্পানিটির পরিচালনা পর্ষদ ৩০ জুন, ২০২২ সমাপ্ত হিসাববছরের আর্থিক প্রতিবেদন বিশ্লেষণ করে বিনিয়োগকারীদের সাড়ে পাঁচ শতাংশ নগদ ও সাড়ে পাঁচ শতাংশ বোনাস লভ্যাংশ দেয়ার ঘোষণা দিয়েছে। ২০২২ সালের ৩০ জুন সমাপ্ত হিসাববছরে কোম্পানিটির শেয়ারপ্রতি আয় (ইপিএস) হয়েছে তিন টাকা ৪২ পয়সা আর ৩০ জুন, ২০২২ তারিখে শেয়ারপ্রতি নেট সম্পদমূল্য (এনএভি) দাঁড়িয়েছে ২৮ টাকা ৭৯ পয়সা। আর শেয়ারপ্রতি নগদ অর্থ প্রবাহ (এনওসিএফপিএস) হয়েছে সাত টাকা ১৫ পয়সা (ঘাটতি)।

এর আগে ২০২১ সালের ৩০ জুন সমাপ্ত হিসাববছরে বিনিয়োগকারীদের জন্য ২০ শতাংশ নগদ ও ১০ শতাংশ বোনাস লভ্যাংশ দিয়েছে। আলোচিত সময়ে শেয়ারপ্রতি আয় (ইপিএস) হয়েছে ৪ টাকা ১৮ পয়সা এবং শেয়ারপ্রতি নেট সম্পদমূল্য (এনএভি) হয়েছে ২৯ টাকা ৮৬ পয়সা। আর সে সময় শেয়ারপ্রতি নগদ অর্থ প্রবাহ হয়েছিল চার টাকা পাঁচ পয়সা (লোকসান) ২০১২ সালে পুঁজিবাজারে তালিকাভুক্ত হয় ‘এ’ ক্যাটেগরির এ কোম্পানি। অনুমোদিত মূলধন এক হাজার কোটি টাকা এবং পরিশোধিত মূলধন ৪৩৬ কোটি ৮১ লাখ ৬০ হাজার টাকা। রিজার্ভের পরিমাণ ২৪০ কোটি ৮৪ লাখ টাকা। কোম্পানিটির মোট ৪৩ কোটি ৬৮ লাখ ১৬ হাজার ৪৮০টি শেয়ার রয়েছে। ডিএসইর সর্বশেষ তথ্যানুযায়ী কোম্পানির মোট শেয়ারের মধ্যে উদ্যোক্তা ও পরিচালকদের ৪৯ দশমিক ৬১ শতাংশ, প্রাতিষ্ঠানিক বিনিয়োগকারীদের কাছে ১৭ দশমিক ৯০ শতাংশ ও সাধারণ বিনিয়োগকারীদের কাছে ৩২ দশমিক ৪৯ শতাংশ শেয়ার রয়েছে।

এদিকে সবশেষ কার্যদিবসে ডিএসইতে শেয়ারদর অপরিবর্তিত থেকে প্রতিটি সর্বশেষ ৪৪ টাকা ৮০ পয়সায় হাতবদল হয়, যার সমাপনী দরও ছিল একই। দিনজুড়ে এক হাজার ৬৪৪টি শেয়ার মোট ৯ বার হাতবদল হয়, যার বাজারদর ৭০ হাজার টাকা। দিনভর কোম্পানিটির শেয়ারদর ৪৪ টাকা ৮০ পয়সাতেই লেনদেন হয়। তবে গত এক বছরের মধ্যে কোম্পানিটির শেয়ারদর ৪৪ টাকা ৮০ পয়সা থেকে ৬৬ টাকা ৫০ পয়সার মধ্যে ওঠানামা করে।

https://sharebiz.net/মুনাফা-থেকে-লোকসানে-জিপি/

GPHISPAT

শেয়ারবাজারে তালিকাভুক্ত কোম্পানি বীচ হ্যাচারি লিমিটেড ৩১ মার্চ, ২০২৫ সমাপ্ত তৃতীয় প্রান্তিকের অনিরীক্ষিত আর্থিক প্রতিবেদন প্রকাশ করেছে। কোম্পানি সূত্রে এই তথ্য জানা গেছে।

তৃতীয় প্রান্তিকে (জানুয়ারী-মার্চ’২৫) কোম্পানিটির শেয়ার প্রতি আয় (ইপিএস) হয়েছে ১ টাকা ৮৮ পয়সা। আগের বছর একই সময়ে ইপিএস ছিল ৬০ পয়সা।

অর্থবছরের তিন প্রান্তিকে (জুলাই’২৪-মার্চ’২৫) কোম্পানিটির ইপিএস হয়েছে ৪ টাকা ৫৮ পয়সা। আগের বছর একই সময়ে ইপিএস ছিল ১ টাকা ৯২ পয়সা।

৩১ মার্চ, ২০২৫ শেষে কোম্পানিটির শেয়ার প্রতি সম্পদ (এনএভি) হয়েছে ১৬ টাকা ৪৯ পয়সা।

https://sharenews24.com/article/102273/index.html

Beachhatch

ACI PLC’s pre-tax loss rose by 20% year-on-year to Tk445 crore in its retail chain Shwapno, as well as its foods, consumer plastics, and healthcare businesses during the July-March period of FY24-25.

However, the conglomerate posted a pre-tax profit of Tk487 crore from its pharmaceuticals, animal health, consumer brands, crop care and public health, motors, pure flour, salt, and flexible packaging segments, up from Tk377 crore a year earlier.

These businesses operate under 12 subsidiaries of Advanced Chemical Industries (ACI), in which the company holds majority stakes, according to its financial statement.  

Despite this, ACI incurred a net consolidated loss of Tk80 crore in the first nine months of FY25, primarily driven by a 42% increase in interest payments due to rising policy rates. Its consolidated loss per share was reported at Tk9.11.

During the July-March period, the group’s total revenue reached Tk10,193 crore, up from Tk9,296 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year, reflecting 9.64% growth.  

The company said in its financial statement that was published on its website, during the period, the group achieved a remarkable revenue growth which was contributed by a number of businesses. 

During the period, growth in gross profit exceeded the growth in operating expenses due to cost control initiatives which contributed to the improvement of the operating profit, it said.

On the other hand, cost of borrowing increased due to the increase of interest rate along with the additional funding for working capital and strategic investments for supporting business growth, the report noted.

As of March, ACI’s total liabilities amounted to Tk9,761.59 crore, which was 14% higher from the previous year at the same time.
Segment-wise performance  

ACI demonstrated mixed financial performance across its diverse business sectors during the first three quarters of FY25.

The motor business emerged as the highest revenue contributor, generating Tk2,614 crore with 16% growth in the sector. However, profit before tax in this segment dropped by 11%, standing at Tk157.68 crore. 

Shwapno experienced 19% revenue growth, earning Tk1,984 crore during the period. Despite this, the segment reported a significant pre-tax loss of Tk196 crore.  

The pharmaceuticals segment reported revenue of Tk1,365 crore, a 10% increase compared to the same period of the previous year. Profit before tax in this segment jumped 67%, reaching Tk160 crore.  

In other sectors, the conglomerate generated the following revenues: Tk435 crore from animal health, Tk824 crore from consumer brands, Tk322 crore from crop care and public health, Tk528 crore from pure flour, Tk240 crore from salt, Tk759 crore from foods, Tk496 crore from flexible packaging, Tk226 crore from consumer plastics, and Tk98 crore from healthcare.  

The healthcare segment was the most loss-making business, incurring a pre-tax loss of Tk219 crore. Additionally, the foods and consumer plastics segments also reported losses during the July-March period of FY25. 

https://www-tbsnews-net.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.tbsnews.net/economy/stocks/aci-logs-tk445cr-loss-shwapno-foods-plastics-healthcare-1133656?amp

Olympic Industries is in an enviable position when it comes to cash reserves – Tk 10 billion as of March this year – and it has been leveraging that to strengthen its market position even further.

In its sustained drive to accelerate business growth, it has recently decided to purchase 503.5-decimal more lands adjacent to its factories at Kanchpur and Narayanganj out of its retained earnings. The purchases will cost the company Tk 222.5 million.

Meanwhile, in the first nine months through March of FY25, Olympic Industries gained a more than 10 per cent year-on-year growth in revenue to Tk 21.43 billion. But profit rose only 1.27 per cent to Tk 1.59 billion due to cost escalation and an increase in VAT since January this year.

“The land acquisition is part of a larger strategic investment plan for future business expansion,” said Mintu Kumar Das, company secretary of Olympic Industries.

The latest announcement of land acquisition came after the company bought six pieces of land comprising 273 decimals at Kanchpur and Narayanganj at the expense of Tk 170 million two months back.

The company has been investing in land to develop and diversify its product line. Mr Das said they had witnessed a growth in demand, which was why they were focusing on building capacity to produce more and new food products in near future.

Over the last six years, Olympic Industries has invested around Tk 4 billion.

Apart from land purchase, it has spent money on building storage capacity and to import machinery.

Recently, the company decided to import brand-new capital machinery for a multi-functional chocolate plant along with standard accessories worth Tk 136.64 million, with production capacity of 3,300 tonnes per year.

In August last year, Olympic Industries imported capital machinery for a plant to manufacture snacks, specifically chanachur, for Tk 227 million.

The company will cover all registration costs, including value added tax and other government charges, with its own funds, said the company secretary.

The cash surplus company had also invested in properties in strategic locations across the capital city — Bashundhara,Tejgaon, Purbachal and Narayanganj — to facilitate expansion and get a wider market share.

Due to the pouring of investments, the value of the company’s assets went up to Tk 15.98 billion by March this year from Tk 10.98 billion in FY19.

Olympic’s performance so far

The company’s domestic sales rose 10 per cent while exports jumped more than 19 per cent year-on-year in the nine months through March this year. Currently, it exports products to over 32 countries, including the USA, UK and Australia.

The company’s business diversification strategy enabled it to achieve record revenue of Tk 25.92 billion in FY24, doubled in 5 years since FY19.

Listed in 1989, the biscuit manufacturer has shown consistent business growth. It is considered one of the best performing blue-chip stocks.

Even when most stocks were languishing on the floor due to the imposition of price movement restriction [not allowing any stock to go below the minimum price set], shares of Olympic Industries traded at prices above the floor price.

The stock’s performance in the secondary market accompanied by the company’s promising business attracted foreign investors who hold more than 34 per cent stake in the company, according to Dhaka Stock Exchange data updated as of March this year. That is the highest foreign stake in any listed company in Bangladesh.

The stake of overseas investors in Olympic Industries was 23.97 per cent in June last year.

Olympic Industries has diversified its product line. It launched biscuit and confectionery items in 1996 and entered the ball pen industry in 2008. Last year, it also started manufacturing testy saline.

The market for biscuits is worth Tk 50 billion-Tk 60 billion, with large and well-known brands taking up a major share, according to industry insiders.

Olympic Industries is the largest biscuit manufacturer in Bangladesh, capturing more than 30 per cent market share, and holds the second position in the battery market in Bangladesh.

The local biscuit industry has expanded by about 15 per cent annually in the last few years, according to an analysis by EBL Securities.

EBL Securities, in its equity note on Olympic, stated that Olympic Industries has made significant investments to enter various major segments, such as instant noodles, dry cakes, soft cakes, chocolate-enrobed wafers, filled candies, toffees, toasts, rusks, and savory snacks.

“These investments are a clear indication of the company’s expansion strategy,” EBL Securities noted.

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/stock/bangladesh/pubali-bank-to-issue-bonds-to-collect-tk-15b