Nairobi Securities Exchange CEO Geoffrey Odundo. FILE PHOTO | NMG
By OTIATO GUGUYU
Summary
- Geoffrey Odundo said the market is experiencing cyclical movements and urged investors to buy while stocks are at record lows.
- About 80 per cent of the counters are lower than the price at a similar time last year, with only 13 counters having gained over the last 12 months.
- Kenya Airways has been hit hardest with its price of Sh2.15 having witnessed a 64.2 per cent decline alongside Bamburi Cement, 56.9 per cent, and Uchumi at 54.1 per cent.
Nairobi Securities Exchange CEO Geoffrey Odundo says the current
market decline has not been caused by the deadly Corona virus, amidst
creeping anxiety that has seen stock prices fall.
Mr Odundo said the market is experiencing cyclical movements and urged investors to buy while stocks are at record lows.
About
80 per cent of the counters are lower than the price at a similar time
last year, with only 13 counters having gained over the last 12 months.
Kenya Airways
at 54.1 per cent.
“The
market has not had a direct impact on account of the outbreak and
spread of the Corona virus. The ongoing trading trends reflect normal
market cycles and portfolio shifts between emerging and frontier
markets, as investors look to take profits during this reporting
period,” Mr Odundo said.
He said the fundamentals of the listed companies continue to be
strong supported by an enabling micro-economic and political
environment. Additionally, there are renewed growth prospects in the
country both in the public and private sectors.
“The
market is offering investors an attractive and affordable entry point as
prices of stocks are poised to rise on account of enhanced performance
of Kenyan companies in light of improving micro and macro-economic
conditions,” Mr Odundo said.
Last week, the NSE 20
benchmark index dropped to 2,337 points or a 16-year low Friday as
foreign investors withdrew amid turmoil in global markets over the
coronavirus outbreak and profit-taking hitting banking stocks.
The virus has wiped out equity values due to mounting concern that it will stunt economic growth and corporate profits.
Foreign investors at the NSE, have been net sellers in the past three weeks as sell off hit stocks markets across the globe.
The
market turned the corner on Monday as volumes traded increased by 6.7
per cent even as foreign participation rose from 61 per cent to 68.7 per
cent.
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