Briefing 2024-02-04

Negative equity, down 18pc since 2020, still weighs heavily on market

The outstanding negative equity against margin loans taken for investments in the country's capital market fell more than 18 per cent to Tk 66.3 billion between December 2020 and September 2023. Though market stakeholders say such a high volume of prevalent negative equity exerts an adverse impact on the market, 87 organisations -- brokers and merchant banks - still bear the burden. Page 9

US bombers strike 85 targets in Iraq, Syria

The US military launched airstrikes on Friday in Iraq and Syria against more than 85 targets linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) and the militias it backs, in retaliation for last weekend's attack in Jordan that killed three US troops. Page 14

Fabric fair kicks off in city

A six-day fabric exhibition titled 'Winter Collection Fabrics Week', organised by the leading fabric manufacturer Paramount Textile PLC, kicked off in the city on Saturday. The fair, being held on the premises of Paramount Textile's head office at Gulshan in the city, aims to further expand the market share of the country's textile products across the globe. Page 16