ZSE Market Commentary 20 June 2024
EcoCash, Art deals support volume as ZSE inches higher
Zimbabwe Stock Exchange traded higher on Thursday in elevated turnover following deals in three stocks as ZiG liquidity continues to rise in select sectors of the broader economy.
The All Share Index was 1.17% higher to 115.11 but investors continue to await the legal instrument to support the removal of the 180-day vesting period on shares and the lowering of the capital gains tax. These events are expected to improve ZSE liquidity as well as support intra-day trading that the exchange wants to introduce soon.
Volume traded was at 24.1 million shares supported by trades in EcoCash and Art Holdings. EcoCash contributed the most to volume at 15.72 million shares worth ZiG3.36 million as a foreign investor continued to exit the stock. The shares were bought by a local institutional investor. Art saw a 1.68% trade after 7.35 million shares exchanged hands after a former board member sold to an existing shareholder who consolidated his investment into the firm.
Turnover amounted to ZiG9.74 million with Delta contributing the most at ZiG5.68 million. Foreigners were net buyers at ZiG4.28 million against disposals of ZiG2.62 million. Total trades were recorded at 172.
The Top Ten Index added 1.19% to 120.19. CBZ Holdings put on 10.86% to 450c and Econet added 4.4% to 191.76c.
There were losses in EcoCash, down 7.39% to 21.35c – the day’s worst – and in Delta, which pared 0.14c to 923.39c.
The Medium Cap put on 0.47% to 110.82. Star Africa led the risers, putting on 14.63% to 0.81c and Tanganda added 13.23% to 169c. Art Holdings was 11.25% higher to 8.9c ahead of the release of its March interims and OK Zimbabwe, which is set to release its March finals, added 8.92% to 48.14c. Zimpapers put on 7.3% to 5c in a low value trade worth ZiG55.
Zimre Holdings dropped a fractional 0.66% to 30c.
On the VFEX, Zimplow lifted volume after 2.43 million shares traded bringing the total to 2.78 million shares. Turnover was at US$118 386 with Simbisa contributing the most at US$64 644. The All Share closed 1.40% lower to 99.19.
First Capital was the worst performer, losing 11.65% to 3.11 US cents and Axia fell 8.44% to 8.90 US cents. Innscor Africa shed 2% to 44.10 US cents. The group’s PHI/Agrowth unit says it secured contracts with farmers for 5 415 hectares of wheat, while the Food Crop Contractors Association contracted 19 800 hectares of wheat and 6 500 hectares of barley.
Despite the agricultural season being influenced by the El Nino phenomenon, PHI/Agrowth projected a wheat harvest of approximately 36,000 tonnes, which would provide a substantial contribution to the country’s food security. Meanwhile, FCCA anticipated a total wheat production of approximately 120,000 tonnes, owing to their broad contracts with farmers.
Simbisa dropped a marginal 0.15% to 34.45 US cents. The group said it is on track to achieve its pipeline for 14 new stores in this current quarter (Q4). In responses to FinX, Simbisa said of the targeted openings, 10 will be in Zimbabwe and four of the stores will be in Kenya. This will bring the total store openings in the current financial year to 68. The group said project capital expenditure on the 54 counters opened in the nine months to March was around US$17m.-finx-
Bulls n Bears
ZSE Sustains Growth as ZiG Substantially Devalues Against the US$
The ZSE sustained positive momentum on Thursday amid increased liquidity in the market which saw the ZiG plunging into negative territory since its inception. The ZiG-US$ exchange rate is typically pegged to global gold prices, and since the introduction of ZiG the gold price has gone up while ZiG plunges, reflecting the impact of demand and supply matrices influenced by money supply. The mainstream ZSE All Share Index reached a new high of 115.11 points on Thursday after gaining a nominal 1.17%, with gains driven by market heavies and medium caps while penny stocks remain constant since the rebasing of indices. Following the introduction of a new currency, the ZiG, which replaced the ZWL, the ZSE changed its functional currency to ZiG, and rebased all indices to 100 on the 8th of April in a bid to effectively reflect the effect of the new currency on financial markets.
Likewise, all share prices were also converted to ZiG at a rate of 2,498.65 upon introduction. Since the rebasing of indices, the All Share Index boasts of a 15.1% nominal return, which converts to 15% in US$ terms. On a month-to-date basis, the ZSE is up 13.9%, buttressing a nominal return of 2.28% garnered in May.
The US$ denominated bourse, VFEX, see-sawed back into losses, wholly reversing prior session’s losses as investor sentiment remains mixed ahead of new developments scheduled for late this year, which will see the market as a pan-African hub. The mainstream VFEX All Share Index dwindled by -1.4% today to close at 99.19 points, with losses driven by 4 laggards which outweighed 2 risers. The All Share Index was rebased to 100 at the end of 2023 following the addition of six new listings in 2023. On the upside, since the beginning of June, the All Share Index has garnered a 2% growth, which compares to a -2.3% loss suffered in May. On a year-to-date basis, VFEX is down -0.8%. An aggregate of US$118,375 exchanged hands in today’s session, down from US$138,162 traded in the prior session.
On the currency markets, the Zimbabwe government introduced a new currency on the 5th of April 2024, backed by gold reserves and foreign currency. The Central Bank also announced new monetary policy measures on the same day, further tightening its stance on money supply while, however, slushing borrowing costs from 130% to 20%. The new MPS highlighted that the currency auction market has been replaced by the Interbank market, which will be used to liquidate all ZWL balances into Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG), the new currency. Today, the ZiG depreciated by -0.66% against the US$ to close at 13.58. The Central Bank computes the exchange rate by dividing the US$ by gold price per milligram.
An aggregate of 19 counters exchanged hands in today’s session, with 6 sailing stable while 10 emerged risers. Star Africa came out as the top performer in the session on surging 14.63% to settle at 0.81c, reversing prior session’s losses while Tanganda Tea Company extended gains to a 3rd straight session on notching 13.23% to close at 169c. ARTD firmed by 11.25% to settle at 8.90c, followed by CBZ which went up by 10.86% to close at 450c. OK Zim partially recouped prior session’s losses on rising 8.92% to settle at 48.14c, capping off the Top 5 risers’ set.
On the downside, a total of 3 counters partially weighed on the market. EcoCash Holdings performed the worst in the session on plunging -7.39% to close at 21.35c, setting off prior session’s gains while ZHL fell for a 3rd consecutive session by a further -0.66% to settle at 30c. Beverages giant, Delta, partially reversed prior session’s gains on softening -0.14% to close at 923.39c, capping off the laggards’ pack.
Total turnover rose by 594% from prior session’s record to ZiG9.74 million today against a 814% increase in overall shares traded. Delta led turnover contributors in the session, contributing 58% of the aggregate turnover and was trailed by EcoCash Holdings, ARTD, Econet and ZHL in that respective order. Foreign inflows contributed 44% to aggregate turnover today while outflows held a foothold of 27%.-Equity-Axis