TRYNESS MBALE, Lusaka
THE decline in shares transacted in listed firms on the Lusaka Stock Exchange (LuSE) has resulted in a drastic reduction in the July turnover by almost K480 million.
Last month, overall trading activity occurred in 16 firms with a total of 4,296,605 shares changing hands in 255 trades, resulting in a market turnover of almost K11 million.
This is in comparison with a total of 19,133,253 shares transacted in 303 trades which posted a market turnover of K580 million in June 2015.
“Monthly market volume and turnover were recorded at 4,296,605 shares and K10, 995,009 respectively. Volumes traded dropped by 77.54 percent and monthly turnover followed suit, dropping by 98.11 percent,” according to LuSE monthly news flash for July.
During trade activity, Standard Chartered Bank accounted for the huge chunk of K5,252,623 followed by Lafarge which recorded K2,185,152 while Zambeef Products and Zambian Breweries registered K2,091,316 and K512,615 respectively .
Among other firms which recorded trades were Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) which stood at K357,338, Madison Finance registered K339, 477, National Breweries at K124,875 and Real Estate Investment Zambia at K22,377.
Others were Africa n Explosives, Airtel (formerly Celtel), Bata, British American Tobacco, Puma Energy Zambia and Zanaco.
But, the LuSE all-share index registered a gain of 0.09 percentage point to close at 5,847.31 points from last month’s close of 5,842.08 points.
However, on year-to-date, the LuSE all-share index was down by 5.15 percent.
During the month under review, there were net inflows of US$59,069 and 15 trades in Government bonds.