TRYNESS TEMBO, Lusaka
THE Lusaka Securities Exchange (LuSE) witnessed an increase in turnover of K38 million in February, mainly supported by Zambian Breweries, which contributed almost K30 million amid a general drop in the volume of shares traded.
Of the 22 listed companies, LuSE saw 18 firms actively participating in February compared to 16 firms in January, with shares of 6.2 million against 7.4 million, respectively.
According to LuSE monthly flash for February, a total of 6,263,473 shares were transacted in 198 trades, resulting in a market turnover of K38,079,752 compared to 7,401,034 shares worth K16,943,220 transacted in 232 trades the previous month.
“Despite the volume of shares traded dropping by 15.37 percent, the turnover for the month was up by 124.75 percent compared to January 2017,” LuSE notes in its summary.
In term of performance, Zambian Breweries, which was one of the least performers in January at K55, 000, contributed the huge chunk of K29,287,064 in February.
In the period under review, Airtel contributed K5,874,148 and Zambia Sugar at K1,621,323.
Among other firms were African Explosives of Zambia Limited, Bata Shoe, British American Tobacco of Zambia, Copperbelt Energy Corporation, Investrust Bank, Lafarge, Madison Finance, National Breweries and Pamodzi.
Others were Prima Re, Puma Energy Zambia, Real Estate Investment Zambia, Standard Chartered Bank Zambia, Zanaco and Zambeef Products.
Meanwhile, the LuSE all-share index closed at 4,229.22 points, recording a 4.38 percent increase from the previous close.
During the month under review, bonds valued K885,781,750 were transacted in 75 trades, yielding market value sales of K620,860,910.
This is in comparison with bonds valued K299,009,000 which were transacted in 35 trades, yielding market value sales of K208,913,709.
On market capitalisation, LuSE closed February at over K57.8 billion including Shoprite Holding, up by 1.28 percent while excluding Shoprite Holdings, it closed at about K23.6 billion, up by 3.28 percent.