
Tapiwanashe Mangwiro
The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) experienced a mixed trading week, with notable gains in select counters while broader market indices faced downward pressure.
The ZSE All-Share Index (ASI) fell by 3,72 percent to close at 195.57 points, while the ZSE-10 and ZSE-15 indices recorded steeper declines of 4,77 percent and 4,75 percent, respectively. The ZSE-25 index also slipped by 4,14 percent, reflecting the challenges faced by large-cap stocks.
However, the ZSE-Small and ZSE-Medium indices remained stable, signalling resilience in smaller and mid-tier companies.
The week’s biggest winner was StarAfrica, which soared by an impressive 25,00 percent to close at ZiG 2.50 per share. The stock’s 588,52 percent year-to-date gain reflects strong investor confidence in the company’s performance.
ART also made a significant upward move, jumping 12,01 percent and continuing its bullish trend with a 651,01 percent year-to-date gain. Other top gainers included CFI which gained 14,83 percent, ZimRe added15,00 percent, and Masimba was up 9,97 percent.
Despite high trading volumes, telecom giant Econet ended the week among the biggest losers, declining 14,73 percent to ZiG 250.39 per share. The stock traded ZiG 8 million in value but faced selling pressure.
Financial sector players were also under strain, with FMP leading the losses at 14,95 percent, followed by CAFCA which slipped 11,75 percent and FBC which lost 11,13 percent. Willdale also dropped by 7,56 percent, reflecting volatility in the construction sector.
Econet and Delta emerged as the most actively traded stocks, exchanging ZiG 3 million and ZiG 515 000 in value, respectively. Meanwhile, OK Zimbabwe and Seed Co. also recorded strong trading volumes, indicating continued investor interest in consumer-focused stocks.
While blue-chip stocks struggled, the broader market outlook remains mixed, with investors focusing on inflation trends and monetary policies. As earnings season approaches, market participants will be keen on company performance updates, which could influence stock movements in the coming weeks.