DSE RECORDS MIXED EQUITY PERFORMANCE AS INVESTORS FAVOUR BLUE CHIPS AND BONDS

Dar es Salaam: Equity trading on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE) closed Friday with mixed momentum, as investors maintained steady participation in blue-chip stocks while channelling significant capital into government and corporate bonds—underscoring the market’s ongoing search for yield.

Total equity turnover for the session stood at Sh7.06 billion, generated from 4.34 million shares traded across 2,077 deals. Additional liquidity was recorded on the exchange-traded funds (ETF) board and in the fixed-income segment.

Blue Chips Anchor Market Activity

CRDB Group Plc dominated equity trading, with 3.83 million shares changing hands at an average price of Sh1,770, reaffirming its position as the most liquid counter on the DSE. The stock’s strong volumes reflected continued investor confidence in large-cap financial institutions.

NMB Plc also attracted solid interest, closing higher at Sh9,120 on turnover of approximately Sh4.56 billion. Other banking stocks, including NICOL (T) Plc and MKCB Plc, recorded meaningful volumes, signalling sustained optimism toward the sector amid stable macroeconomic conditions.

Banking Stocks Lead the Gainers

Smaller banking counters outperformed the broader market, led by DCB Commercial Bank, which surged 12.24 per cent to close at Sh275, up from Sh245, topping the day’s gainers’ chart.

TTCL followed with a 9.63 per cent rise to Sh3,300, while Maendeleo Bank advanced 9.25 per cent to close at Sh1,890. Precision Air also stood out, closing at Sh280, as buying interest appeared to stabilise the stock after recent volatility in the aviation-linked counter.

Industrial and Large-Cap Support

Investor interest extended beyond banking stocks, with Tanga Cement closing at Sh3,300, attracting flows from investors seeking diversification into industrial counters. Meanwhile, heavyweight CRDB Group edged higher on strong volumes, reinforcing financials’ leadership on the board.

Select Counters Retreat

Despite the generally supportive tone, some stocks saw profit-taking. Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange Plc slipped to Sh7,460, while Mwalimu Commercial Bank eased to around Sh495, reflecting comparatively softer demand.

Indices and Investor Participation

The DSE All Share Index (DSEI) rose to 3,045.58, supported by gains in key counters, while the Tanzania Share Index (TSI) stood at 6,607.42. The Banking, Finance & Investment sector continued to dominate market performance, reflecting both its size and investor preference.

Local investors accounted for nearly 100 per cent of buying turnover, with foreign participation remaining subdued. On the sell side, local investors represented approximately 73 per cent of turnover, with non-resident investors making up the balance.

ETFs and Fixed Income Remain Attractive

On the ETF board, VERTEX-ETF traded 280,803 units at a weighted average price of Sh400, signalling sustained appetite for diversified exposure.

Meanwhile, the government bond market attracted substantial capital, with Sh10.91 billion traded across 46 deals, spanning maturities of five to 25 years. Corporate bonds also recorded activity, albeit at lower volumes, contributing to the growing depth of Tanzania’s fixed-income market.