Eight Sectors Race to the Bottom

Dismal performance continued to dominate the market on Thursday’s trading session. The bourse was characterized by downward trend on the indices and waning trading levels as depicted by the shareholders wealth. The NSE-20 share index dipped by 0.67% to close at 3825.18 points while the NSE All Share Index closed on the red, waning by 0.33% to perch at 140.41 points. The NSE-25 Share index declined by 0.42% to close at 4065.90 points. Market Capitalization followed suit, decreasing marginally by 0.34% to close at KES 1,977 billion. Equity turnover advanced significantly by 57.68% to close at KES 0.477Bn. The A/D ratio weakened to 0.52x from 0.57x.

Following the negative performance in today’s trading session, eight out of the twelve sectors in the NSE segment closed in the red, save for the energy & petroleum, construction & allied which advanced by 0.56% and 0.42% (respectively). Agriculture sector led the losers pack with the highest loss of 1.90%. This was attributable to a decline in Kapchorua Ltd (NSE: KAPC) and Williamson Tea (NSE: WTK), with the former losing ground by 44.64% and the latter shedding 50.26% since book closure date (08th Jan 2016). Sasini Ltd declined by 0.25% to close at KES 19.95, despite an upcoming book closure date on 25th February 2016. The Investment sector emerged as the second losing sector with Trans century (NSE: TCL) shedding off 7.26% closing the day at KES 5.75.

Equity Market Highlights

Safaricom Ltd (NSE: SCOM) was the most actively traded stock today accounting for 29.53% of the total market value traded activity. East African Breweries Ltd (NSE: EABL) closed in second, accounting for 20.73% of the total market turnover.

Umeme Ltd (NSE: UMEME) was the top gainer of the day, advancing by 8.33% at KES 19.50. E.A Cables Ltd (NSE: CARB) posted a 6.21% gain, to close the day at KES 9.40.

Standard Group Ltd (NSE: SGL) was the top laggard of the day, plunging by 10.00% to close at KES 27.00. Pan Africa Ltd (NSE: PAFR)trailed behind, declining by 8.62% to close the day at KES 53.00.

Research by Genghis Research.