Ahsan Habib

Despite all the economic uncertainty amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, 2020 saw growing investor confidence in the country’s stock market, which rose by more than 20 per cent this past year.

DSEX, the benchmark index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange, stood at 4,453 points at the beginning of the year on January 1 while it was 5,402 by the end of December.

A number of indications influenced the upward trend in investor confidence, such as a change to the market regulator’s long-standing leadership and policy support from Bangladesh Bank, according to market analysts.

The year will also be remembered for the abnormal rise of insurance stocks, which almost doubled in value amid the current crisis.

Lower commission for agents increased the sector’s earnings while stock rumours and gambling fuelled its meteoric rise, the analysts said.