DSE OPENS 2026 WITH MODEST GAINS AS DOMESTIC INVESTORS DRIVE MARKET ACTIVITY

— By Henry Lyimo, Daily News

DAR ES SALAAM: Tanzanian equities began the new year on a cautiously positive note, with the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE) posting modest gains on Friday, January 2, supported largely by domestic investor participation and sustained demand for government securities.

The DSE All Share Index (DSEI) rose to 2,785.54 points, up from 2,761.93 points in the previous session, reflecting mild price appreciation in a limited number of actively traded stocks. Market activity remained highly concentrated, with banking and financial services counters once again absorbing the bulk of investor flows.

CRDB Bank Plc dominated trading by volume, reaffirming its position as the most liquid stock on the exchange and the primary channel for domestic equity demand. Other stocks that recorded notable activity included NICO Holdings and Swissport Tanzania, although overall volumes outside the banking sector remained subdued—underscoring the narrow breadth of the market’s advance.

Total market turnover reached Sh1.49 billion, with approximately 1.0 million shares exchanged across 2,872 deals, indicating moderate investor participation compared with recent trading sessions. Liquidity continued to be concentrated in a small number of large-cap stocks, reflecting a selective trading environment.

The banking and financial services sector once again anchored overall market performance, highlighting continued investor preference for liquid blue-chip equities. Meanwhile, the majority of smaller counters remained inactive, a pattern that continues to define daily trading dynamics on the exchange.

Local investors dominated the session, accounting for nearly 99 per cent of total purchases, while foreign investor participation remained limited. The subdued offshore activity points to cautious foreign sentiment, despite stable and consistent domestic demand.

In the fixed income market, government bonds remained the preferred investment destination, with securities worth Sh8.37 billion traded during the week across a limited number of deals. Strong demand for longer-dated bonds suggests sustained investor appetite for predictable returns amid cautious equity market sentiment.

Corporate bonds recorded no trades, reflecting ongoing liquidity constraints in that segment of the market.