The performance of the Nairobi Securities Exchange was better today. The NSE 20 Share Index performance was down  1.97  points to close at 3995.03 points. The All-Share Index performance was also down having lost 0.14 points to close at 87.71

HIGHEST VOLUMES

Access Kenya was the highest traded counter today with 3.6 million shares traded while second was Safaricom Ltd with 1.78 million shares. Mumias Sugar Company was third for a second consecutive day with 1.71 Million shares changing hands, an increase of 700,000 from yesterdays volume and Bamburi Cement was fourth with 446,300 shares traded.

COUNTER WATCH

• Standard Chartered Bank – The stocks closed at KES 214 today with 5,900 shares changing ownership. The rights issue saw the rights go for KES 58 again, with a high of KES 65 for the day. This Rights Issue is on the basis of One (1) New Share for every Thirteen (13) Existing Shares and only the shareholders upon book’s closure on 19th September can take part.
• EA Portland Cement – The counter maintained a price of KES 48 as no shares were traded today. They have been on a losing streak through the year and have only hit a high of KES 64 compared to KES 142 in January, 2008.
• British American Tobacco – The shares maintained a price of KES 450, its highest price in 5 years. Only 100 shares were traded for the day. In January 2008, the shares had dipped to KES 88 and have seen a steady increase since. Amongst the factors that contribute to the company’s increased profits is the sale of products to Egypt which has seen the company’s revenue shoot up. Investors reaction to this has led to increasing market capitalization at a steady pace.