Top ten cos account for one-fourth turnover

British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company (BATBC) dominated the prime bourse's turnover chart last week while top ten-traded companies captured 34 per cent transactions.

The BATBC also dominated the week's gainer chart, posting a 27.36 per cent gain over the previous week to close at Tk 4,776.70 on Thursday.

Market analysts said investors showed their buying appetite on BATBC shares after the company declared hefty dividend on Tuesday last.

The multinational company has recommended 500 per cent cash and 200 per cent dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2018.

The board has also decided to increase authorised capital to Tk 5.40 billion, from Tk 600 million by amending relevant clause.

According to statistics from the Dhaka Stock Exchange, about 393,599 shares of BATBC were traded, generating a turnover of Tk 1.82 billion, which was 6.33 per cent of the prime bourse's total turnover last week.

The company has also reported earnings per share (EPS) of Tk 166.87, net asset value (NAV) per share of Tk 492.15 and net operating cash flow per share (NOCFPS) of Tk 150.13 for the year ended on December 31, 2018 as against Tk 130.50, Tk 385.21 and Tk 162.22 respectively for the same period of the previous year.

The BATBC, which was listed on the DSE in 1977, disbursed 600 per cent cash dividend the year ended on December 31, 2017. In 2016, the company also paid 600 per cent cash dividend.

The company's paid-up capital is Tk 600 million and authorised capital is also Tk 600 million, while the total number of securities is 60 million.

The sponsor-directors own 72.91 per cent stake in company, while government owns 0.64 per cent, institutional investors 9.76 per cent, foreign investors 16.01 per cent and the general public only 0.68 per cent as on February 28, 2019, the DSE data shows.

United Power followed next, with shares worth Tk 1.51 billion changing hands during the week under review. The company's share closed at Tk 405.40 each on Thursday, advancing 4.43 per cent over the week before.

Dutch-Bangla Bank clinched the third spot, with shares worth Tk 1.45 billion changing hands. The bank's share price rose 9.27 per cent to close at Tk 218.10 on Thursday.

Monno Ceramic Industries emerged fourth with shares worth Tk 1.29 billion changing hands. The company's share closed at Tk 353.90 each, losing 9.0 per cent.

Brac Bank notched the fifth spot, with shares worth Tk 900 million changing hands. The bank's share price advanced 7.40 per cent to close at Tk 88.50 each.

The turnover of Singer Bangladesh was Tk 848 million last week. The company's share price rose 4.73 per cent to close at Tk 277 each on Thursday, the last session of the week.

Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company featured a turnover of Tk 577 million. The state-run company's share price closed at Tk 152.30 on Thursday, shedding 6.62 per cent.

The turnover of Fortune Shoes was Tk 546 million. The company's share closed at Tk 33.80 each, losing 6.63 per cent.

Square Pharmaceuticals featured a turnover of Tk 497 million. The company's share closed at Tk 267.60 each, losing 0.04 per cent over the previous week.

National Polymer Industries also made its way to the top 10 turnover chart, with shares of Tk 486 million changing hands. The company's share price closed at Tk 88.70, losing 4.62 per cent over the previous week.

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