Movers & Shakers: March 20, 2012

Botswana: DCI -0.08%, Vols USD 16k

With not much activity on the BSE, the market recorded turnover of USD 16k while the DCI lost 0.08% to end at 7051.25pts. The market didn't record any movement today. 826 shares traded in Barclays at 705t. FNBB traded level at 270t on 42,354 shares. Letlole and olympia were unchanged at 600t and 911t.

Egypt: EGX 30 +0.92%, Vols USD 80m

The market managed to end the day higher, leaving the EGX30 to end the day up 0.92% to close at 5079.44 points. Volumes has improved significantly compared to recent market volumes, market traded a total turnover of USD 80m. Volatility continued throughout the day today in Egyptian blue-chips as institutional investors (International) continue to book profits, yet local institutions increased their exposures in the market to be net buyers today along with local retail investors. The real-estate sector attracted investors interest today on the back of news of Qatari Barwa holding its AGM tomorrow, the AGM is supposed to discuss the company's future expansion plan, which gave investors a sense of optimism towards the sector of that there might be a possible M&A transaction.

Investor mix:
•  Foreigners were net Sellers by 55.97 mn EGP and were 18.21% of the market.
•  Egyptians were net Buyers by 62.72 mn EGP and were 71.82% of the market.
•  Arabs were net Sellers by 6.74 mn EGP and were 9.97% of the market.
•  Institutions were net Sellers by 56.81 mn EGP and were 32.20% of the market.
•  Retail were net Buyers by 56.81 mn EGP and were 67.79% of the market.

Kenya: NSE 20 +0.97%, Vols USD 5.16m

What started out as a rather dull day turned out quite eventful in the end with a large cross in Equity Bank going through towards the end of the session, 14 mill shares changed hands in the cross at 17.50 with both the seller and buyer being foreign. This helped take value traded for the day to a rather impressive $5.16m with foreign purchases accounting for $4.16m of total purchases while foreign sales accounted for $3.03m of total sales. The market ended on a weak note with the NSE 20 Index falling 0.97% to close at 3,285.51. EABL was the largest contributor towards the market’s fall with the counter falling 8% to close at 184 as a result of going ex-div (KES 2.50 interim dividend) albeit on small volume of 3,000 shares.

Mauritius: Semdex +0.20%, Vols USD 382k

A 19.50% hike in MLC to Rs8.90 propelled the Semdex to end the day 0.20% higher at 1,759.39pts. MLC issued a communique regarding the proposed amalgamation of MC, Bramer Banking Corp and Bramer Holdings. MCB unaffected by the reduction of 50bps of the repo rate, traded level at Rs162 on relatively thin trading. SBM, was up 0.6% to Rs78.50 with vwap at Rs78.10. Rogers was unchanged at Rs290. Sun was down to Rs39.20. Lux gained 1.5% to Rs20.80.

Nigeria: ASI -0.27%, Vols USD 16.76m

All eyes were on the MPC today for the decision on interest rates, with Governor Sanusi announcing that rates would remain unchanged at 12.00%. Activity was fairly robust with value traded amounting to $16.76 dominated by block trades in a number of the blue chip stocks such as NB (cross of 10m shares at 98) and a number of crosses in the likes of Zenith Bank and Guaranty Bank. The general picture on the market was a negative one with the ASI falling 0.27% to close at 20,603.14, while the Bank 10 Index also came under pressure, falling 0.93%.

South Africa: Top 40 -1.21%, Vols USD 1.92bn

The JSE followed world markets lower with the Top 40 Index falling 1.21% to close at 30,026 while value traded amounted to USD 1.92bn. Resources were the day's biggest losers with the Index falling 2.45% followed by Financials and Industrials which fell 0.39% and 0.35% respectively. The Rand was trading at 7.61 and 10.09 to the USD and EUR respectively by the time local markets closed.

Zambia: LuSE -0.17%, Vols USD 35.3k

Quiet day in Zambia today with value traded amounting to $35.3k. The names that traded included CECZ, INVE, REIZ, ZNCO and ZSUG. ZSUG was the biggest contributor towards turnover with value traded in the name amounting to USD 21.8k. CECZ was the second biggest contributor towards turnover with value traded in the name amounting to USD 7.4k. Fitch Rating's Ltd said that Zambia's government finances could come under "additional strain" if the courts don't overturn the deregistration of the official opposition party.

Zimbabwe: Industrials +0.18%, Mining unch, Vols USD 985k

The Industrial index finally broke the four week losing streak in Tuesday trades helped by gains in OK and Seedco. The industrial index recovered +0.18% to 138.86pts buoyed by a +4.76% recovery in OK to 11c and +0.97% advance in Seedco to 104c. Eight counters closed the day in the positive against 10 losers. Zimplow and TA put on +1c apiece to 8c and 15c respectively, Larfage was +6.56% higher at 65c, Celsys put on +66.67% to 0.05c spurred by reports of a possible reverse listing of parent company Cambria Africa (formerly LonZim). Volumes improved to 12.5m units boosted by DZL (1.6m), Barclays (2.1m) and Pearl (4.3m) while turnover rose to $985,148 from yesterday’s $277,000. Foreign participation was net sellers by $149,388 with purchases of $107,711 against sales of $257,099. The mining was steady once again at 85.45pts. Falgold and Hwange traded unchanged at 11c and 27c respectively while Rio and Bindura recorded no trades.