The fiscal year 2024-25 was a tale of two markets in Bangladesh, marked by a sharp divide in the behavior of wealthy investors and retail traders. While retail investors, often driven by emotions and the temptation of quick profits, backed away from the downturn, wealthier investors seized the opportunity, strategically buying undervalued stocks during the market correction, banking on a recovery in the months to come.
According to the latest data from the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), the number of active Beneficiary Owner (BO) accounts dipped slightly, from 14.44 lakh in June 2024 to 13.69 lakh in June 2025. This decline was largely due to a 9 per cent drop in the number of micro-investors—those with portfolios under Tk 1 lakh—falling from 9.16 lakh to 8.32 lakh.
This shift reflects the challenges smaller investors face in these uncertain times, marked by high inflation, political unrest, and market volatility. Many analysts also pointed out that retail investors, lacking the patience and strategic foresight of wealthier investors, retreated from the market during these tough conditions.
Meanwhile, large investors—those with portfolios above Tk 50 crore—capitalized on the dip. The number of such accounts increased by 5.3 per cent, from 696 to 733, showing that these investors remain confident even in the face of downturns. Known for their contrarian approach, they buy stocks when prices are low and hold on until the market recovers. Their strategy paid off handsomely in June and July 2025, when the DSEX index surged over 15 per cent and blue-chip stocks like BRAC Bank delivered returns of more than 50 per cent.
Medium-level investors, with portfolios between Tk 50 lakh and Tk 1 crore, grew by 5 per cent, from 22,907 to 24,225. This growth reflects a rise in investors who, like the wealthy, are comfortable with market volatility and have the long-term vision to weather downturns. Similarly, the number of accounts holding more than Tk 1 crore increased by 2.5 per cent, from 12,993 to 13,316, further underscoring the growing dominance of larger investors.
Retail investors, in contrast, typically chase short-term gains. Their preference for popular, trendy stocks often causes them to miss out on undervalued assets, especially those that are temporarily down but positioned for recovery, said analysts and stockbrokers.