Capital market to remain ‘moderately bullish’ in 2018

The capital market will remain moderately bullish in 2018, but local political instability will be the risk factor for the capital market this year, according to a recent survey of a leading stockbroker.

The forecasts were made by the majority of the respondents in a recent survey on the Bangladesh capital market conducted by LankaBangla Securities. The findings of the survey were released recently.

The survey, which is the sixth of its kind, was carried out between January 4 and January 20 this year. A total of 312 people from various sectors -- including academicians, fund managers, foreign investors, chief executives, traders and students -- responded to the survey styled 'Bangladesh Capital Market Sentiment Survey 2018'.

The majority, 44 per cent respondents said the capital market's performance in 2017 was good, mainly due to declining interest rates.

However, 35.8 per cent respondents opined lack of investors' trust and confidence was the most significant feature of capital market in 2017.

Majority respondents (27.9 percent) hold local political instability responsible as a risk factor for the capital market in 2018.

Some 29 per cent of the respondents believed the stable economic growth will have a positive impact on the capital markets of Bangladesh in 2018.

However, optimism about the market is seen because 53.3 per cent participants opined the market may become moderately bullish in 2018.

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