NASI and NSE 20 At The NSE Rally Even as Market Turnover Drops Sharply

Wednesday’s market is moving with a steady but confident upward rhythm, signalling renewed investor appetite across Kenya’s equities landscape. The session is closing on a bullish note, and every number on the board is telling a story — a story of shifting sentiment, shifting liquidity, and shifting investor psychology.

The NASI is rising by 0.2%, meaning that the general market value across all listed counters is climbing as investors are willing to pay slightly more for broad Kenyan equities. The N10 is matching this energy with another 0.2%, showing that the most liquid blue-chip companies are experiencing similar buy-side momentum. At the same time, the NSE 20 Index is advancing by 0.4%, a significant move because this index is price-weighted and reacts strongly when heavyweight counters tick upwards. The NSE 25 is adding 0.3%, demonstrating that the mid-to-large cap segment is pulling in stable demand.

Equity turnover is easing to USD 3.0 million, down by 18.2%, showing that while the market is rising, traders are transacting with more caution — fewer shares changing hands, but at firmer prices. This tells us today’s buyers are deliberate and value-driven rather than speculative. Local investors are controlling 76.0% of all market activity, down from 91.8% the previous Friday, showing that foreign investors are slowly creeping back into the market, though still selectively.

Equity Group is commanding the stage, contributing 26.1% of all turnover. Its price is rising by 1.2% to KES 64.75, signalling confidence ahead of year-end banking sector disclosures. StanChart is inching up by 1.1% to KES 305.75, driven by quiet accumulation from institutional desks. Co-op Bank is rising by 0.4% to KES 24.90, mirroring sustained retail and pension-fund interest.

KCB and Safaricom are sitting in positions of calm stability — unchanged at KES 65.00 and KES 29.00 — a sign that the market is holding its breath for upcoming catalysts. Kenya-Re is slipping by 0.6% to KES 3.15, the lone top mover losing ground as investors trim exposure ahead of sector-specific events.

ABSA Gold is exploding upward by 8.7% to KES 5,180.00, making it the day’s stand-out gainer as hard-asset ETFs continue benefiting from global uncertainties. On the other hand, Flame Tree is shedding 6.5% to KES 1.45, becoming the day’s harshest loser as supply overwhelms demand.

Foreign investors are turning net sellers with an outflow of USD 505.7K, signalling profit-taking behaviour. KCB is attracting foreign buys while Safaricom is attracting foreign sells — a familiar pattern reflecting valuation and dividend dynamics.

The market is now positioning ahead of ABSA’s 3Q25 earnings release tomorrow, a catalyst expected to shape banking-sector flows for the rest of the month.

Read Also: NSE Turnover Jumps 40% as Safaricom Leads Trading and Co-op Bank Skyrockets After Strong 3Q25 Results