Here are the shares we will be closely watching in today’s trading at the Nairobi Securities Exchange:

• Olympia Capital Holdings – The holding company is reportedly set to acquire full ownership in its Botswana manufacturing subsidiary to steer it into new markets (Business Daily). News of this strategic decision could boost the share which has been on a downward trend this month, dropping 20 percent from a high of KES 4 to KES 3.25 at last week’s close. This week has however seen the share rise briefly before declining to last week’s closing price yesterday. We will watch the share in today’s trading.

• Crown Paints (Crown Berger) – The paints manufacturer yesterday released half-year earnings where pre-tax profit rose 46 percent to 109.6 million shillings and turnover grew 16 percent to 2.1 billion shillings. The share has rallied this year to trade above KES 30 since from June compared to the 25 shilling range in the first quarter. It gained 25 cents yesterday to close at KES 35.

• British American Tobacco – The share yesterday closed at a new high of KES 409 after rising 18 shillings. BAT shares are the highest prices at the NSE after Limuru Tea. We will watch if they climb further today.