Briefing 2024-02-03

Stocks rebound on earnings optimism
The benchmark equity index rebounded in the outgoing week from a sharp fall in the previous week, as bargain hunters snapped up lucrative stocks that saw deep correction following the floor price removal. Higher-than-expected quarterly earnings of some companies and lucrative price level also prompted investors to inject fresh funds into selective stocks. More than 100 listed companies disclosed their quarterly earnings last week and investors acted on accordingly. Page 9
Israel approves terms of deal with Hamas
Israel has given its consent to general provisions of a deal with Palestine's radical Hamas movement, drafted during the recent negotiations in Paris, Qatari Foreign Ministry's spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said. "That proposal has been approved by the Israeli side and now we have an initial positive confirmation from the Hamas which also ordered framework," he told a seminar at the Johns Hopkins Foreign Policy Institute. Page 14
0.1m more prepaid meters in Ctg soon
State-owned Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited (KGDCL) is installing prepaid meters for 0.1 million more residential customers in the city and in different upazilas of the district at a cost of Tk 2.91 billion. KGDCL Managing Director Engineer M Abu Saklain said the installation of these meters for KGDCL Part-2 started last week. Page 16