Ten top-traded cos clinch 25pc transactions

Ten top-traded companies captured more than 25 per cent transactions on the country's premier bourse Wednesday. LankaBangla Finance topped the list for the two consecutive sessions.
According to the statistics available with the DSE, about 7.39 million shares of LankaBangla were traded, generating a turnover of Tk 297 million. It was 4.78 per cent of the day's total turnover value.
However, the company's share price fell 1.50 per cent to close at Tk 39.50 following lower than expected dividend declaration.
The board of directors of the LankaBangla on Tuesday recommended 7.50 per cent cash and 7.50 per cent stock dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2017, the lowest dividend recommendation in the past two years.
In 2016, the company disbursed 15 per cent cash and 15 per cent stock dividend. In 2015, it also paid 15 per cent cash and 15 per cent stock dividend.
However, the company posted a 142 per cent year-on-year growth consolidated earnings in 2017. The company's consolidated net profit stood at Tk 1.92 billion which was Tk 795.6 million in the previous year. The consolidated earnings per share (EPS) stood at Tk 5.97 for the year ended on December 31, 2017 which was Tk 2.50 in 2016.
The company's paid-up capital is Tk 4.77 billion and authorised capital is Tk 10 billion, while the total number of securities is 477.37 million.
The sponsor-directors own 33.56 per cent stake in LankaBangla, while institutional investors own 23.95 per cent, foreign investors 4.23 per cent and the general public 38.26 per cent as on January 31, 2018, the DSE data shows.
Apart from LankaBangla Finance, the most other active issues in terms of value included Unique Hotel & Resorts, Brac Bank, Beximco Pharmaceuticals, Fu-Wang Food, Monno Ceramic Industries, Keya Cosmetics, Mercantile Bank, Square Pharmaceuticals and Paramount Textile.
Unique Hotel followed next with shares worth Tk 174 million changing hands. The company's share price closed at Tk 60.90, losing 5.18 per cent over the previous day.
Brac Bank emerged third with shares worth Tk 161 million changing hands. The bank's share price closed at Tk 99.30, advancing 0.81 per cent over the previous session.
Bexmico Pharmaceuticals clinched the fourth spot, with shares worth Tk 160 million changing hands. The company's share price advanced 2.39 per cent to close at Tk 111.30.
The turnover of Fu-Wang Food was Tk 150 million. The company's share closed at Tk 20.70, soaring 9.52 per cent over the previous session.
Monno Ceramic saw its shares worth Tk 129 million change hands. The company's share price advanced 2.89 per cent to close at Tk 131.50.
The turnover of Keya Cosmetics was Tk 126 million. The company's share closed at Tk 11, gaining 2.80 per cent.
Mercantile Bank featured a turnover of Tk 119 million. The bank's share price fell 1.98 per cent to close at Tk 24.70.
The turnover of Square Pharmaceuticals was Tk 112 million. The second largest market cap company's share price closed at Tk 325, shedding 0.43 per cent.
Paramount Textile was also included the top ten turnover chart, with shares worth Tk 108 million changing hands. The company's share price fell 2.06 per cent to close at 47.60.

[email protected]