| | | | | The SEMDEX continued its ascent today, growing 1.3% to reach 2,151.68 points, with strong support coming from banking stocks MCBG and SBMH. MCBG maintained its record run, rising 1.2% to MUR 375.00 on 104.6k shares traded. Meanwhile, SBMH rallied 16.6% to MUR 5.20 (reaching an intraday high at MUR 5.34 - the maximum price range limit), driven notably by its announcement of a doubled dividend payment compared to last year, alongside its record profits for FY 23. For FY 23, SBMH reported a record profit attributable to shareholders of MUR 4.3bn, up 18.7% yoy, driven mainly by a surge in net interest income (+19.3% to MUR 10.6bn), as the banking group benefitted from high interest rates. Operating income grew 14.5% yoy to MUR 15.6bn and non-interest expenses rose 18.0% to MUR 9.6bn. Both customer loans and deposits dipped slightly, but asset quality improved with a lower net impairment ratio (FY23: 2.1% vs FY24: 2.8%). Reflecting the company's positive outlook, the board declared a dividend of MUR 0.40 per share, double the amount distributed in the prior year.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | International Markets | US stocks ended mostly higher Thursday, trading in a narrow range with both the S&P 500 and the DOW JONES hitting record highs. In economic news, the Commerce Department revised the Q4 GDP growth upwards to an annualized 3.4%, slightly above the 3.2% previously reported. The pan-European STOXX 600 closed at another record high on Thursday, rising 0.2%, with travel stocks leading gains and utilities experiencing a decline. Japanese stocks fell the most in Asia on Thursday on speculation of government intervention to support the yen. Australian markets, as measured by the ASX 200, hit a record high, boosted by gains in mining shares with BHP Group and Rio Tinto leading the surge.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | Regional Markets | Kenyan stocks retreated sharply on Thursday, shedding 4.0% after a seven-day winning streak. The decline was led by Safaricom, the NSE’s largest company by market capitalization, whose share price fell 8.0%. Nigerian stocks continued their upward momentum on Thursday, gaining 0.3%. This positive performance was driven by gains in major companies like Julius Berger Nigeria, PZ Cussons Nigeria, and MTN Nigeria Communications.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | FX & Commodities | Oil prices rose on Thursday in anticipation of the upcoming OPEC policy decision next Wednesday. Investors expect tighter oil supplies due to the likelihood that the producer alliance will maintain its current output cuts. The US dollar strengthened against the euro and the pound on Thursday, ahead of key US inflation data scheduled for release on Friday. The euro fell to a five-week low, down 0.4%. The pound also declined by 0.1%.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | Events Calendar | | | Source: Investing.com, Yahoo Finance, African Markets, Stock Exchange of Mauritius, Trading Economics, Statistics Mauritius | | |
|
|
|
|
|