Kenya Equity Markets | 26 Aug 2015: Nairobi Securities Exchange equity markets downward trend persist …

Nairobi, Kenya (Capital Markets in Africa) — Nairobi Securities Exchange equity markets continued to stay in the red zone by shed off 2.47 percent or KES 47.40 billion (almost US$457 million) in the market capitalization to end at KES 1,958 billion from  market capitalization of KES 2,006 billion recorded at previous trading session.

The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE20) index tumbled by 71.38 points or 1.68 points to close at 4,171.35 points and the Nairobi All Share Index crashed by 3.37 points or 2.36 percent to end at 139.43 points. The FTSE NSE 15 index and FTSE NSE 25 remained also plunged by 2.70 percent to end at 183.66 and slumped by 2.55 percent to close at 183.15 points respectively.

Look at today’s market activities, volume of shares traded went up by 14.24 percent to close at 17.94mn. Total turnover also shoved up 106.95 percent to close at KES 639.74 million. Bamburi was the largest mover of the day with a turnover of KES 152.59 million representing 23.85 percent of the total market turnover. Other most actively traded stocks were East Africa Breweries Limited recorded KES 90.342 million; Equity Group had KES 87.065 million, SAFARICOM Kenya registered KES 74.686 million and KCB Group ended with a turnover of KES 42.669 million.

From the market movers and shakers, today’s price mover was Uchumi Supermarket Limited emerged as the top advancer after advancing by 4.03 percent to end the day at KES 7.75 after investors bought and sold 54,200 shares. Flame Tree Holdings surged by 1.43 percent to close the day at KES 7.10. Longhorn Limited soared by 0.77 percent to settle at KES 6.55. Similarly, Kenya Reinsurance rose by 0.29 percent to end at KES 17.50.

 Conversely, Atlas Development emerged ended as the top loser after losing by 9.70 percent to end the day at KES 6.05. Unga Group concluded at KES 40.75 by crashing by 9.44 percent and NIC Bank slid by 5.82 percent to trade at KES 44.50. National Bank also somersaulted by 5.75 percent to close at KES 17.50. Housing Finance declined by 4.40 percent with a closing price of KES 21.75.

On foreign exchange market front, the Kenyan Shilling depreciated by 0.03 percent against US dollar to trade at KES 103.81 but appreciated by 0.35 percent to end at KES 162.92 against British pound. Kenyan Shillings also gained 0.80 percent against the Euro to close at KES 119.08 but fell by 0.77 percent against South African rand to trade at KES 7.92.