Movers & Shakers: July 31, 2013

Botswana: DCI -0.01%, USD 18k

Another dull day in Gaborone with value traded amounting to USD 18k. Apart for some small action in Furnmart there is nothing much to report unfortunately.

Egypt: EGX -0.03%, USD 31m

The market witnessed a slow session with today with static trading leaving the EGX30 to end slightly lower down 0.03% to close at 5,324.70 points. Market volumes were significantly low relative to recent turnovers, the market traded a total turnover of USD 31m. The market witnessed a slow session to continue with its profit booking sentiment lead by local retail and internationals were names such as ETEL, CCAP and ESRS witnessed selling pressure each ending the day down 0.37%, 1.47% and 0.76% respectively , also the real-estates sectors witnessed some selling pressure after witnessing notable buying over the last couple of sessions, name such as PHDC, AMER and OCDI ended the day down 1.26%, 1.96% and 0.11%. Only handful of stocks managed to end the day in the green, names such as EFIC, OTMT and JUFO managed to end the day up 2.65%, 1.85% and 0.92% respectively.

Kenya: NSE 20 -0.20%, USD 4.6m

Activity slowed down in Nairobi today with value traded amounting to $4.6m. EABL as expected came under some pressure today after yesterday evening's profit warning with the counter falling 4% to close at KES 335 as local investors dominated sales in the name. Kenya Commercial Bank was rather active and accounted for 27% of today's volume as foreigners were active in the counter. The rally in Safcom continued on decent enough volume (13.75m shares) with the name gaining 0.70% to close at 7.30. Kenya Airways managed to gain 1.1% after posting improved Q1 2014 operating numbers (+10.9% increase in passenger numbers). CIC Insurance posted worse than expected results for the H1 2013 period and closed -2.1% lower as a result thereof.

Mauritius: Semdex -0.03%, USD 574k

Activity slowed down again in Port Louis today with value traded amounting to USD 574k. Banking stocks enjoyed mixed fortunes with MCB closing flat at 189.50 while SBM fell 0.98% to close at 1.01. From an activity point of view it was MCB (35k shares) and ENL Land (97k shares) that led the way. Nothing much else to report on an otherwise dull day.

Nigeria: ASI +0.29%, USD 25.19m

Activity continued to improve in Lagos today with value traded amounting to a very pleasing $25.19m. Ashaka Cement released H1 2013 results today and was the leader in terms of turnover thanks to a large cross of 18.5m shares at N24.00. Guaranty Trust Bank ($3.76m) and Nigerian Breweries ($3.48m) were however not far behind in terms of turnover. The market continued to rally on the last trading day of the month with the ASI gaining 0.29%. Consumers (+0.38%) contributed to the move higher with PZ Cussons adding an impressive +4.38%. Banks (+0.21%) also ended the day firmer with Stanbic (+9.98%) and UBA (+2.22%) leading the sector higher. Diamond Bank also released H1 2013 numbers with the counter gaining a marginal +0.90%.

Please note that the index figure above is correct at the time of writing.

South Africa: Top 40 +0.89%, USD 1.40bn

The JSE ended the day higher with the Top 40 Index gaining 0.89% to close at 36,843 while value traded amounted to USD 1.40bn. Financials were the day's biggest gainers with the Index gaining 1.10% followed by Industrials and Resources which gained 1.05% and 0.28% respectively. The Rand was trading at 9.91 and 13.16 to the USD and EUR respectively by the time local markets closed.

Zambia: LuSE +1.43%, USD 15k

Much of the same in Lusaka today with value traded amounting to a paltry USD 15k. Apart from some small activity in BATA ($13k) there was nothing to write home about.

Zimbabwe: Closed for general elections.

African Currencies