Dhaka, July 4 -- In the first half of 2025, Bangladesh's stock market recorded one of the poorest performances among Asia's frontier economies, exposing deep structural challenges, geopolitical uncertainties, and mounting economic pressures.

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the country's principal bourse, experienced a significant downturn that rattled investor confidence and raised concerns among market observers.

Between January and June, the DSEX benchmark index dropped 378 points - or 7.25 per cent - to close at 4,838.

Meanwhile, the DS30 index of blue-chip stocks fell 6.4 per cent to 1,816, and the Shariah-compliant DSES index declined even further, by 9.2 per cent, to 1,061.

Market capitalisation contracted by 8.1 per cent, falli...