Some listed companies see rise in foreign stakes

The amount of the foreign stakes at some listed companies rose between 0.14 per cent and 34.83 per cent held by general shareholders during December, 2016 to August 31, 2017.
The listed companies which witnessed rise in foreign stakes are IDLC Finance, British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company (BATBC), City Bank, Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation, Beximco Pharmaceuticals, Square Pharmaceuticals, ACME Laboratories and Bangladesh Submarine Cables Company.
Selim R. F. Hussain, managing director of BRAC Bank, said the foreign investors make investments with prudent professionalism.
"They do not invest in a company without justifying its fundamentals. They also consider the level of share price and prefer long-term investment," Selim said.
He said many general investors prefer short term investment and do not consider fundamentals of a company while making investments.
According to information of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the stakes of foreign investors at IDLC Finance was 4.25 per cent compared to the company's total amount of shares. The foreigners' stake in IDLC Finance rose to 8.98 per cent as of July 31, 2017 and 10.63 per cent as of August 31, 2017.
On the other hand, the amount of shares held by general shareholders declined at the IDLC Finance. The general shareholders held 14.21 per cent shares as of December 31, 2016 and the amount came down to 13.39 per cent as of August 31, 2017.
The stakes of foreign investors at British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company (BATBC) rose marginally during December, 2016 to August, 2017. The foreign stakeholders held 14.41 per cent shares at BATBC as of December 31, 2016 and the amount rose to 15.34 per cent as of August 31, 2017. On the other hand, the stakes of general investors declined to 0.68 per cent on August 31, 2017 from 0.81 per cent observed as of December 31, 2016.
Foreign shareholders have a significant amount of stakes at BRAC Bank compared to general investors. And the amount has almost remained static During December, 2016 to August, 2017. The amount of foreign stakes at BRAC Bank was 42.15 per cent as of December 31, 2016 and the amount rose to 42.29 per cent as of August, 2017. On the other hand, the general shareholders held only 5.66 per cent stakes at BRAC Bank as of July, 2017.
Foreign stakes at City Bank stood at 6.10 per cent by December, 2016 and the amount rose to 10.34 per cent as of August 31, 2017. The amount of shares held by general shareholders was 45.17 per cent by December, 2016 and the amount came down to 39 per cent within next eight months.
The amount of foreign stakes at Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation rose to 39.87 per cent as of August 31, 2017 from 33.95 per cent calculated by December, 2016. During this period, the shares held general shareholders declined to 4.22 per cent from 5.89 per cent.
The amount of foreign stakes at Beximco Pharmaceuticals was 36.33 per cent on December 31, 2016 and the amount rose to 41.35 per cent within next eight months. On the other hand, the general shareholders' stakes declined to 19.63 per cent from 22.81 per cent during the same period.
The stakes of foreign shareholders and general ones, however, rose at Square Pharmaceuticals. During December, 2016 to August 31, 2017, the amount of foreign stakes rose to 19.19 per cent from 15.39 per cent. The amount of shares held by general shareholders rose to 36.33 per cent from 18.75 per cent during the same period.
Foreign shareholders held 0.48 per cent shares at ACME Laboratories by December 31, 2016 and the amount rose to 3.30 per cent by August 31, 2017. During this period, the amount of shares held by general shareholders came down to 30.37 per cent from 34.10 per cent.
The amount of foreign stakes at Bangladesh Submarine Cables Company was 0.73 per cent by December 31, 2016 and the amount rose to 2.01 per cent as of August 31, 2017. On the other hand, the stakes of general shareholders came down to 11.79 per cent from 14.17 per cent during the period.
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