ICB, Shanta Holdings offload 8.32 lakh ACI shares in April
Both entities are major stakeholders in ACI
The Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB) and Shanta Holdings Limited sold a combined total of 832,000 shares of ACI PLC from their respective stakes in April, according to ACI's monthly shareholding disclosure for the month.
Of the total, ICB offloaded 5.47 lakh shares, while Shanta Holdings sold 2.84 lakh shares. Both entities are major stakeholders in ACI, and following these sales, ICB's stake decreased to 9.01% from 9.64%, and Shanta Holdings' stake dropped to 5.05% from 5.37%.
Market insiders described the move as part of a broader strategic adjustment by the two institutions. In January, both ICB and Shanta received a significant number of ACI shares through a stock dividend issued for the previous fiscal year.
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Interestingly, in March, ICB had increased its stake in ACI by acquiring 29 lakh shares, reflecting dynamic changes in its investment strategy.
Meanwhile, in April, Arif Dowla, managing director of ACI PLC, increased his stake by acquiring 14 lakh shares at the prevailing market price through the block market of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE).
Between January and March, he had already purchased 31 lakh shares. As per the April shareholding report, Arif Dowla now holds 88.68 lakh shares, representing 10.12% of the company's total shares.
In the same month, ACI Director Shusmita Anis purchased 7.75 lakh shares, following her earlier acquisition of 15.15 lakh shares in January. Additionally, ACI Chairman Anis Ud Dowla acquired 16 lakh shares in January.
Meanwhile, ACI PLC incurred a loss of Tk80 crore in the July-March period of FY25.
According to the company's unaudited statement, its loss per share stood at Tk9.11 during the period, up from Tk7.18 in the same period of the previous year.
Its consolidated revenue was Tk10,193 crore in the first nine months of FY25, which was Tk9,296 crore a year ago.
ACI shares closed 1.24% lower at Tk166.90 on Saturday at the Dhaka bourse. The market is usually closed on Fridays and Saturdays, but it opened this Saturday to make up for a 10-day closure during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha holiday.
Earlier, the company had paid a 20% cash dividend and a 15% stock dividend in the last fiscal year despite having a loss of Tk139 crore in that year.
