Performance in the Nairobi Securities Exchange was generally down after a feisty start to the day. The NSE 20-Share Index closed at 4113.96, down 0.56 points from yesterday. The All-share index followed suite closing at 91.36, down 0.08 points from yesterday. This basically means that the combined performance of gains and losses on different counters resulted in a general dip. An investor with their hands dipped in all listed companies saw a decrease in their portfolio value by end of trading.

HIGHEST VOLUMES

Equity Bank was the highest performer with 2.81 million shares changing ownership and resulting in a market capitalization of KES 89.79 billion. Second place went to KenolKobil which closed having traded 2.34 million shares over the counter. Kenya Commercial Bank dropped down one spot to close at third place with 1.56 million shares but maintained the same close of KES 30 as yesterday. Despite news of drop in profits, Barclays Bank of Kenya scooped fourth place with a close of 1.43 million shares traded.

COUNTER WATCH

• Kenya Airways – The company's stock took a beating(expected) today at the bourse as it closed at KES 12 and was amongst the top losers. Volumes traded stood at just over 436,000 showing that investors were fairly volatile to the news today. Where as some were looking to dispose of the stock, a majority stood firm and kept the stock within the KES 12 mark. The airline has thus far reported a Profit-After-Tax loss of KES 4.8 Billion. The results could amount to a no dividend payout should they persist into the second half of the airline's financial year. Low to no pay is more probable as Kenya will be having its general elections within the company's second half.
• Equity Bank – General good news regarding the bank's improved performance resulted in increased volumes. The stock price rose to KES 24.50, up 25 cents and the volumes traded were at 2.8 million, more than double that of yesterday of 1.3 million. This reaction is in light of the results today where they announced a Profit-Before-tax of KES 11.79 Billion and a Profit-After-Tax of KES 8.3 Billion. The Earnings Per Share also increased to KES 2.99, meaning the shareholders stand a chance of receiving increased dividend pay, quite the opposite to Kenya Airways shareholders...*laughable*