ZSE Market Commentary 20 May 2024
WestProp sees biggest trades yet on VFEX, Innscor to expand Bulawayo plant further
HARARE – Baker’s Inn, a division of Victoria Falls Stock Exchange-listed Innscor Africa, is set to put up a second plant at it Belmont factory in Bulawayo as part of its expansion plans.
This comes as the company officially commissioned a US$27.8 million plant, last week, which is now operating at full capacity, producing 8 000 loaves of bread per day, and has yielded significantly improved loaf quality and consistency. The second line is part of the company’s plan to ramp up capacity to supply the country’s southern region.
Innscor chairman Addington Chinake said that company would soon be installing a second line “imminently”, to further increase capacity for the southern region, which encompasses Midlands and the two Matabeleland provinces. He was speaking at the official commissioning of the first line at the Leeds Road Factory in Bulawayo where President Emmerson Mnangagwa was guest of honour.
Over the past two financial years, Innscor has invested US$125 million in expansion capital. Much of this investment has recently been commissioned, or is in the final stages of being commissioned. The group said that efforts continue to also be directed toward ensuring new investments achieve targeted returns, while overall free cash generation remains a vital performance metric for the Group, in support of future financing and investing activities.
The Bulawayo plant contributes more than a quarter of the company’s bread supply and has brought increased efficiency for Baker’s Inn, with reduced waste and fuel costs. This is a significant step forward for Baker’s Inn. With the Bulawayo plant up and running, the company is one step closer to achieving its goal of providing the freshest, tastiest bread to every corner of the nation.
Zimbabwe’s national bread demand currently at 950,000 loaves per day.
In its latest trading update for the third quarter to March, Innscor said that loaf volumes at its Baker’s Inn division closed 16% ahead of the comparative nine-month period, enhanced by a consistent flour price, and the maintenance of a convenient exit price point to the consumer, notwithstanding the change in the VAT status of the product during the quarter under review. Following the changes in the local currency regime, the price of a loaf is at ZiG 13.50.
The VFEX added a marginal 0.22% to 99.33. Turnover was quite strong at US$407 413.53 after West Property Holdings recorded its biggest trade since its listing. Traded volume was at 209 495 with Innscor contributing the most at 107 895. But, it was WestProp which brought in the most value at US$350 180 after 35 018 shares traded. The property stock closed unchanged at US$10.
Zimplow led the risers with an 11.73% gain to 2 US cents while fractional gains were seen in Simbisa, First Capital, Innscor and Axia.
Elsewhere, gains in mostly heavyweight stocks ensured that the broader Zimbabwe Stock Exchange start the week in positive territory although lacking momentum from the relatively upbeat trading updates released by the majority of companies for the quarter to March.
The All Share Index put on 0.96% to 95.56 in a session which yielded nine risers against five fallers. Turnover was subdued at ZiG 792 576.44 after 711 300 shares exchanged hands in 155 trades. Star Africa led in volume at 295 400 while Delta brought in the most value at ZiG 603 441.20. Foreign participation was minimal.
The Top Ten Index rose 0.96% to 94.26. Hippo put on 13.01% to 400c and Econet added 6.79% to 134.69c. First Mutual was 5.41% higher to 195c.
There were losses in EcoCash, which was down 3.43% to 20.39c and Delta, shedding a marginal 0.03% to 710.77c.
The Medium Cap Index was 0.48% ahead to 98.10. Willdale led the risers with a 14.29% gain to 3c and Nampak was 10.46% ahead to 44.20c ahead of an EGM to approve a change in auditors following the announcement by PwC to exit Zimbabwe.
Star Africa was the day’s worst performer with a 13.52% loss to 0.71c
OK Zimbabwe fell 11.78% to 44.09c ahead of the imminent release of its March finals and Mash Holdings pared 0.06%.-finx