At today’s NSE trading, we will be closely observing the following share counters:

• B.O.C Kenya – The supplier of industrial and medical gases yesterday closed at a high not seen since early last year, gaining 7.44 percent to close at Ksh 130.00 from Ksh 121.00 on Monday. The company’s net profits for the year ended December last year rose 87.4 percent to 214.9 million shillings  while Earnings per share rose to 7.71 shillings from 4.06 shillings in 2010 (Reuters).
• Barclays Bank – The share was at its highest price since may this year gaining 1.1 percent to close at Ksh 13.65; this was due to speculation that the Bank’s lowered lending rates could boost demand for loans, a news report by Bloomberg says. On Friday last week, Barclays Bank Regional Managing Director Adan Mohamed confirmed that the bank will cut its base lending rate by 1.5 percent to 21 percent down from 22.5 percent from the beginning of next month, Pesatalk reported.
• East African Portland Cement – Six months after boardroom wrangles caused a 60-day trading ban on the cement manufacturer’s share on the NSE, the Business Daily today reports that the company’s Managing Director is searching for six new executives to fill in key company positions to support the company’s path to recovery. The share yesterday climbed 6.36 percent to close at KES 58.50 after dipping on Monday,according to data from the NSE.
• British American Tobacco – After reaching more than a five year high of Ksh 382 last week Thursday, the cigarette maker fell for a second consecutive day yesterday. The share yesterday closed down 3.97 percent at KES 363.00 from KES 378.00 on Monday.