The securities exchange closed at 4023.55 yesterday, an increase from Wednesday's performance on both indices. We shall be focusing today on Safaricom Ltd, Uchumi Supermarket and Kenya Airways.

A summary of yesterday’s trading activities can be found here.

COUNTERS

• Safaricom Ltd - The company is expected to publish its 1H13 performance figures on 8th November 2012. There is also the matter of introduction of a 10% excise duty on mobile money transfers on 5th October 2012. The charges are likely to be passed on to the consumer in the form of higher transaction fees. We shall be looking to see if there shall be any material movement as we approach the publishing date.
• Kenya Airways – We keep our eyes on the Kenya Airways counter, much as we did yesterday. The share has thus far paved its way back to KES 12 after exhibiting a downward spiral for most of the month. The primary reason for this is the introduction of cheap low budget flights that are aimed at boosting revenue from the local scene. We shall be looking to see if the upward trend will persist and cross yesterday's positive move.
• Uchumi Supermarket – The counter has been resident to the top losers and top gainers in the course of the week. The mixed market reaction was spiked this week by the announcement of the company results that revealed a dip in profits before tax to KES 403 Million. The stock's value edged up 2.19% to close at KES 18.65 yesterday with a total of 812,900 shares changing hands.  We shall be monitoring the shares fluctuaution today in price today to see whether the full year results and profit dip will affect share price.