The Markets

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – LafargeHolcim Ltd. sees improving profit margins at its Africa unit this year as Nigerian and South African economies pick up and the company invests the proceeds of a 131 billion naira ($364 million) rights issue. The earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization margin will rise above 35 percent, Lagos, Nigeria-based Lafarge Africa Plc said in a statement Monday. The company is working to reduce energy and transportation costs as…

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – Libstar Holdings Pty Ltd., the South African food and household products maker, plans to raise about 1.5 billion rand ($124 million) to repay debt and fund expansion by selling new shares on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Existing shareholders in the Johannesburg-based company, including Abraaj Group Ltd., which holds about 71 percent, will also sell undisclosed stakes, the company said in a statement Monday. “The capital that we raise from the listing…

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Crude climbed by the most in more than two weeks amid a weaker dollar and easing concern that a trade war will break out between the U.S. and China. Futures jumped as much as 1.6 percent in New York as the dollar dipped, boosting oil’s appeal as a store of value. As investors evaluate the ongoing tensions between U.S. and China, President Donald Trump predicted the Asian nation will be first to…

HARARE (Capital Markets in Africa) – Zimbabwe’s proposals to compel miners to list the majority of their shares on the local exchange will strangle companies’ ability to invest and grow, according to the country’s biggest producer of platinum. Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. sees little interest in a listing among local investors, said Johan Theron, a spokesman for the Johannesburg-based company whose Zimplats unit is Zimbabwe’s biggest platinum producer. Investors in the country can already trade Zimplats…

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – Murray & Roberts Holdings Ltd. sees a fair value for the South African engineering and construction company at as much 9.8 billion rand ($821 million), setting a price tag for Germany’s Helmig family after rejecting an offer last week. After reviewing an independent report by BDO Corporate Finance Proprietary Ltd., Johannesburg-based Murray & Roberts values the company at between 20 rand and 22 rand a share, it said in…

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – Consol Holdings Ltd., the glass-packaging maker that last traded on Johannesburg’s bourse more than a decade ago, said it’s plotting a return and is seeking to raise 2.7 billion rand ($227 million). Consol delisted in 2007 after a group of private-equity investors led byBrait SE took it private. Consol’s return, mooted for at least three years, previously faced uncertainty amid South African political turmoil and slowing economy. Under new President Cyril…

HARARE (Capital Markets in Africa) – Zimbabwe wants mining companies operating in the country to list the majority of their shares on the local exchange, stirring uncertainty among investors as the nation with the world’s biggest platinum reserves after South Africa tries to bring in money to fix the economy. “No mining right or title shall be granted or issued to a public company unless the majority of its shares are listed on a securities…