RESILIENCE AMIDST CHANGE: THE DHAKA STOCK EXCHANGE THROUGH THE LENS OF THE EPIDEMIC'S PHASES

This study delves into the unprecedented disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in financial markets, specifically exploring the impact on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) in Bangladesh. The pandemic, originating from the novel coronavirus, instigated global turmoil, redefining the dynamics of financial landscapes. The outbreak's rapid progression led to an urgent need for comprehensive investigation into the alterations it wrought upon stock markets. The concept of disease extends beyond physical injury, encompassing structural and functional disorders within biological organisms. An affliction assumes pandemic proportions when it engulfs extensive regions and populations. Conversely, an epidemic pertains to widespread regional impact. Notably, the DSE distinguished itself by opting for a comprehensive shutdown from March 26 to May 30, 2020, to stave off collapse. This decision introduced an intriguing scenario for assessing market behavior and risk-return dynamics. While financial support packages were deployed to curb economic deterioration, the DSE's hiatus signaled a rare policy deviation. Amidst the scarcity of empirical research on frontier markets and their response to COVID-19, this paper contributes vital insights. It chronicles the evolution of market returns, comparing pre-lockdown and post-reopening periods. By synthesizing a diverse range of data sources, the study unveils distinctive patterns that underscore the pandemic's transformational impact on financial markets. Moreover, the paper reviews pertinent literature, explicates the methodology employed, presents key findings, and culminates with conclusive remarks on the pandemic's far-reaching influence on financial ecosystems.