Earnings per share (EPS) of two-third listed engineering companies plummeted in October-December, 2019 compared to that of the same period of last year.
Market operators said most of the listed engineering companies saw their EPS fall because of lower earnings due to sluggish businesses during the period under review.
EPS is the portion of a company's profit allocated to each outstanding share of common stock. In short, it serves as an indicator of a company's profitability.
Of the 39 companies listed in the sector, 26 companies saw their EPS fall in the October-December, 2019 while 13 companies earned marginal returns, according to the un-audited financial statements.
Of them, EPS of four companies-Aziz Pipes, Bangladesh Lamps, Olympic Accessories and Yeakin Polymer-- turned negative during the period under review, the data from the Dhaka Stock Exchange showed.
BSRM Steels, Deshbandhu Polymer, Ratanpur Steel Re-rolling Mills, Aftab Automobiles, Bangladesh Thai Aluminium, Bengal Windsor, Navana CNG, Bangladesh Steel Re-rolling Mills, IFAD Autos and Runner Automobiles witnessed significant decline in their EPS.
BSRM Steel's EPS fell to Tk 0.07 in October-December, 2019 period, falling 92 per cent compared to the same quarter in the previous session.
The EPS of Deshbandhu Polymer plunged 75 per cent to Tk 0.03 in October-December, 2019.
Ranatpur Steel's EPS also slumped 73 per cent to Tk 0.50 in October-December, 2019 quarter.
The EPS of Aftab Automobiles came down to Tk 0.17 in October-December, 2019, losing 64 per cent year-on-year.
Bangladesh Thai Aluminum's EPS also plunged 61 per cent to Tk 0.05 in October-December, 2019.
On the other hand, Anwar Galvanizing, Shurwid Industries, National Polymer, Quasem Industries, Kay & Que, Renwick Jajneswar, Appollo Ispat, Oimex Electrode, KDS Accessories, National Tubes saw their EPS grow up to 390 per cent during the period under review.
Anwar Galvanizing saw the highest surge, soaring 390 per cent to Tk 0.54 in October-December, 2019.
The EPS of Shurwid Industries soared 225 per cent year-on-year to Tk 1.14 in October-December, 2019.
National Polymer's EPS also rose 199 per cent to Tk 1.45 in October-December, 2019, followed by Quasem Industries 178 per cent to Tk 0.25 in October-December, 2019 quarter.
Atlas Bangladesh's EPS was Tk 0.41 in negative in October-December, 2019, which was Tk 0.52 in negative in the same quarter of the previous year.
Eastern Cables EPS was Tk 1.51 in negative in October-December, 2019, against negative Tk 1.22 in the same quarter of the previous year.
Golden Son's EPS was Tk 0.194 in negative in October-December, 2019, which was negative Tk 0.259 in the same quarter of the previous year.