A total of only 51 of the 142 companies listed in the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) declared dividends ranging from four per cent to 65 per cent during the pastyear.

According to the DSE annual report for 1992-93, eight new shares and one debenture were listed with the stock exchange while two debentures matured and were redeemed during the period. Total number of the listed issues Increased to 149 from 142 during the previous year.

The total issued capital of all listed shares amounted to Tk. 666 crore and during the year 4.34 million shares and debentures valued at over Tk.40O million were transacted. This Indicates an increase of 54.58 per cent In value and 14.36 per cent in volume compared to the previous year.

The eight company shares floated during the year was worth over Tk. 35.48 crore while the lone debenture was worth Tk. 1.5 crore.

This year's DSE annual report, In contrast to the one published last year, showed a marked Improvement in the

presentation of relevant and useful data related to the traded shares. It includes a five year comparative data on highest and lowest quoted rates of the listed companies with the issued capital and right and bonus issues.

The annual report also includes a statement of cash dividend declared by the listed companies along with a separate listing of the top dividend paying companies, the top listed companies In terms of turnover, market capitalisation and number of shareholders.

Of the 51 listed companies which declared dividends. 13 paid dividends of up to 10 per cent. 28 paid dividends ranging from 11-20 per cent. 14 paid between 21-30 per cent, five companies paid between 31-40 per cent and one company paid dividend of 65 per cent during the period.

Of the listed companies the shares of 20 were not traded at all during the year.

Singer Bangladesh topped the list of companies declaring the highest dividend at 65 per cent while Chittagong Cement

paid 40 per cent. Usmanla Glass Sheet paid 35 per cent. GQ Ball Pen paid 35 per cent and 1st ICB Mutual Fund with a 31 per cent declared dividend rounded off the top five.

Among the 10 listed banks only City Bank declared a dividend of 10 per cent and National Bank paid 12.5 per cent during the period while of the 19 engineering companies listed only nine paid dividends and of the 22 food and allied product companies listed 13 paid dividends.

Three of the four fuel and power sector companies listed in the DSE paid dividends while a two of the 12 listed jute

s declared dividends and only four of the 19 listed textile mills paid dividends during the period.

Ajnong the 15 pharmaceutical companies listed In the stock exchange only four declared dividends while none of the paper and printing companies listed declared any dividends. Of the 15 companies listed in the miscellaneous category nine declared dividends and all four listed Insurance companies paid dividends rang-

ing from 15-18 per cent.

Bangladesh Tobacco Company topped the list of companies In terms of market capitalisation at 14.72 per cent or Tk. 2,280 million while Glaxo Bangladesh was second it 9.72 per cent or over Tk. 1,505 million, Bangladesh Oxygen at-5.62 per cent or over Tk. 870 million. Eastern Bank at 4.26 per cent of Tk. 6660 million and City Bank at 3.64 per cent of Tk. 568 million rounded off the top five.

The companies having the largest number of shareholders during, the period were Eastern Cables with 22.372. Chittagong Cement 14.588. Dhaka Vege-table Oil 14,104. Zeal Bangla Sugar 13,755 and Bexlmco with 13.616 shareholders are listed as the top five.

According to the DSE annual report, the fixed asset of the stock exchange stood at Tk.73.19.344 out of a total asset of Tk. 93,44,162.

DSE has a total of 250 ordinary shares of Tk. 2,000 each as the authorised share capital while there are 195 subscribed and fully paid ordinary shares.