BRAC Bank shares hit two-year high on record profit

Shares of BRAC Bank PLC soared to a more than two-year high yesterday, driven by robust earnings growth and rising investor expectations of a generous dividend.

The stock advanced 4.46% to close at Tk86.60 on the Dhaka Stock Exchange PLC, extending its recent rally. Since January, the bank's shares have climbed 37% as of 22 February, significantly lifting its market capitalisation.

At the close of trading, BRAC Bank's market value stood at Tk17,241 crore, marking a rise of Tk4,679 crore from the beginning of the year. The lender is now the third-largest listed company on the DSE in terms of market capitalisation, behind Grameenphone Ltd. and Square Pharmaceuticals PLC.

Market insiders said the rally was largely fuelled by the bank's record-breaking financial performance in the first nine months of 2025. Investors are betting on a strong year-end dividend as the private lender has already exceeded its previous full-year profit with one quarter still to go.

BRAC Bank posted a consolidated net profit of Tk1,535.86 crore during January-September 2025, registering a 52% year-on-year growth. The earnings surpassed its entire 2024 profit of Tk1,432 crore, making it the first local private bank to cross the Tk1,500 crore mark within nine months.

Earnings per share rose to Tk6.06, while net asset value per share increased 31% to Tk51.73. Net operating cash flow per share also jumped to Tk63.03, supported by strong deposit mobilisation and prudent liquidity management.

With this performance, BRAC Bank has become the highest profit-making local bank in Bangladesh, trailing only Standard Chartered Bank, which reported Tk3,300 crore in profit in 2024.

The bank attributed the growth to higher investment income from government securities, rising interest income, and solid contributions from subsidiaries. Improved asset quality, disciplined cost control, and better yields on investments further strengthened its bottom line, reinforcing investor confidence.