Movers & Shakers: March 27, 2012

Botswana: DCI +0.15%, Vols USD 255k

The DCI ended the day 0.15% higher on vols of USD 255k. Sefalana accounted for 55% of the turnover with 359,898 shares trading 1t lower at 280t. FNBB traded 3t higher at 275t. FSG was up 6t to 135t. Barclays lost 1t to 704t while Choppies ended the day 2t lower at 147t.

Egypt: EGX 30 +1.57%, Vols USD 70m

The market ended the day in positive territory today, leaving the EGX30 +1.57% to close at the 4,985.32 points level. Market Volumes has improved, compared to recent market volumes market traded a total USD 70m. The market managed to change its trading sentiment to start trading positively, with local institutions to be the sole net buyers, yet local retail continue to reduce their position in the market this is attributed to increase fears towards the political road in Egypt. HRHO continues to gain investors interest on the back news of a possible merger with Qinvest, the name ended the day up 4.24% to close at EGP14.00.

Investor mix:
•  Foreigners were net Sellers by 4.34 mn EGP and were 36.96% of the market.
•  Egyptians were net Buyers by 6.76 mn EGP and were 59.13% of the market..
•  Arabs were net Sellers by 2.42 mn EGP and were 3.92% of the market.
•  Institutions were net Buyers by 4.22 mn EGP and were 48.51% of the market.
•  Retail were net Sellers by 4.22 mn EGP and were 51.48% of the market.

Kenya: NSE 20 +0.81%, Vols USD 3.53m

Another strong day for Equity Bank (sixth day that it has rallied in a row) with the name 1.05% to close at 19.30 on speculation that the company will raise funds from existing shareholders. There were a number of large crosses in the name with 5.24m shares changing hands. There were quite a few offers being shown around in Kenya Commercial Bank at the 22.75 level, but this did however not deter a few buyers with 1.57m shares trading in the counter. Safcom was also rather active with a number of crosses going through at the 3.25 level, foreigners were net buyers in the name. Athi River Mining released results after the close which saw which saw turnover increase +39%. Total value traded on the day amounted to $3.53m with foreign purchases accounting for $1.88m of total purchases while foreign sales accounted for $340k of total sales. The market closed higher with the NSE 20 Index gaining 0.81% to close at 3,339.27.

Mauritius: Semdex +0.22%, Vols USD 865k

The Semdex and The Sem-7 ended the day 0.22% and 0.16% higher. Rs15.1m worth traded on the official index while the DEM saw Rs10m exchange hands. MLC continues to attract attention with the price trading 2.9% higher at Rs10.80. Policy was up 3.15 to Rs8.25 on thin vols. Rogers traded 1.3% higher at Rs305. Terra edged up 1.3%. MCB saw 43,769 shares trade in the name at Rs163. IBL closed 0.7% higher at Rs77.50. Ascencia dominated vols on the Dem with 7000 shares trading in the name at Rs1360.

Nigeria: ASI -0.28%, Vols USD 19.46m

Activity picked up a bit today with value traded amounting to $19.46m. Zenith got things going early on with a cross of 35m shares at the start of the session, a total of 102m shares traded in the counter. Banking stocks seemed to be the flavor of the day with Guaranty Bank (25.4m shares) and Access Bank (37m shares) also amongst the biggest contributors towards value traded. Nigerian Breweries was volatile yet again today with a cross of 1.16m shares at 94.02 going through early, and then rallying to close at 97.50. Unilever released results today, showing an increase in net income of 31%, the counter came under pressure after the announcement, falling 1.59% to close at 31. UACN closed limit down at 29.79 after announcing a disappointing annual dividend of N1.59. The market closed lower today with the ASI falling 0.28% to close at 20,942.16 while the Bank10 Index fell 0.91%.

South Africa: Top 40 +0.54%, Vols USD 1.38bn

The market closed the day higher with the Top 40 Index gaining 0.54% to close at 29,957 while value traded amounted to USD 1.38bn. Industrials were the day's biggest gainers with the Index rallying 0.559% followed by Financials and Resources which gained 0.58% and 0.16% respectively. The Rand was trading at 7.59 and 10.13 to the USD and EUR respectively by the time local markets closed.

Zambia: LuSE +0.03%, Vols USD 70k

Another rather dull day in Lusaka with value traded amounting to USD 70k. The names that traded included BATZ, CECZ, LAFA, PUMA, SCBL, ZABR, ZNCO and ZSUG. ZNCO was the biggest contributor towards turnover with value traded in the name amounting to USD 67k. LAFA was the second biggest contributor towards turnover with value traded in the name amounting to USD 853. Zambia's central bank plans to introduce a benchmark lending rate which will be announced on March 29 and come into effect from April 2.

Zimbabwe: Industrials -0.91%, Mining +0.40, Vols USD 512k

The industrial index lost 0.91% weighed by heavy weights in a relatively light trading session as more and more counters scramble to meet the March 31 reporting deadline. TA was steady at 15c albeit o a sizeable block of 682,786 units after reporting its December numbers. Lack of buying impetus saw Delta ease 1.71% to 68.8c with a distant bid at 66c, AICO and Meikles lost 1c apiece to 16c and 15c respectively while Econet gave up 0.78% to 380c. Banking stocks dominated the losers for the second session after ZBFH lost -12.50% to 14c, FBC slipped 1.54% to 6.40c and NMBZ lost 10% to 0.9c ahead of its analyst briefing tomorrow. A total of thirteen stocks traded in the negative led by Ariston which lost -20% to 1c. Gains were seen in Barclays up 7.84% to 3.99c, Fidelity added +1.25% to 16.20c and Ok’s marginal gain of 0.09% to 11c. Market turnover dropped to $512,146 from yesterday’s $1.3m while volumes traded declined to 6.1m shares from 6.8m. Foreign buying declined to $231,190 from $724,090 while foreign out flows amounted to $61,787 from yesterday’s $766,759. Rio’s 2% gain to 51c saw the mining index rise 0.40% to 87.56pts for the second consecutive session as the market welcomes the approval of the recapitalization plans. Other mining stocks recorded no trades.