ACI MD to acquire company shares worth Tk38cr

ACI Limited Managing Director Arif Dowla has announced plans to purchase 25 lakh shares of the company through the block market within the next 30 days, according to a disclosure on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) today.

On the day of the announcement, ACI shares closed at Tk151.60 each, valuing the intended purchase at approximately Tk38 crore. 

This follows Dowla's acquisition of 6 lakh shares in January. As per the January shareholding report, he currently holds 49.68 lakh shares, representing 5.67% of ACI Limited's total shares.

In addition to Dowla's transactions, ACI Limited Chairman Anis Ud Dowla and Director Shusmita Anis purchased 16 lakh and 15.15 lakh shares, respectively, in January, for a total of Tk46 crore. 

These acquisitions have increased the combined holdings of the company's sponsors and directors by 4.24%, raising their total stake to 40.31% of ACI Limited's paid-up shares.

Financial performance

ACI Limited's pre-tax loss rose by 15% year-on-year to Tk291.42 crore in its retail chain Shwapno, as well as its foods, consumer plastics, and healthcare businesses during the July-December period of FY25.

However, the conglomerate posted a pre-tax profit of Tk306 crore from its pharmaceuticals, animal health, consumer brands, crop care and public health, motors, pure flour, salt, and flexible packaging segments, up from Tk 246.49 crore a year earlier.

These businesses operate under 12 subsidiaries of Advanced Chemical Industries (ACI) Limited, in which the company holds majority stakes, according to its financial statement.  

Despite this, ACI incurred a net consolidated loss of Tk70 crore in the first half of FY25, primarily driven by a 43% increase in interest payments due to rising policy rates. Its consolidated loss per share was reported at Tk7.99.  

During the July-December period, the group's total revenue reached Tk6,619 crore, up from Tk6,244 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year, reflecting 6% growth.  

In its financial statement, the company reported that for the half-year period ending on 31 December 2024, the group achieved 6% revenue growth, driven by several business segments.  

During this period, growth in gross profit outpaced the increase in operating expenses, thanks to effective cost control measures that contributed to an improvement in operating profit.  

However, the cost of borrowing rose due to higher interest rates, coupled with additional funding for working capital and strategic investments aimed at supporting business growth. This led to the incurred loss, as stated in the report.