LuSE Records Weekly Gains as CECZ Drives Market Turnover
The Lusaka Securities Exchange (LuSE) posted a positive performance in the week ending July 11, 2025, with the All Share Index (LASI), excluding ZCCM-IH, rising by 1.48% week-on-week to close at 20,445.99 points. The improvement reflects increased investor confidence and a significant uptick in market turnover, which surged to ZMW 16.35 million (USD 690,290), nearly doubling the previous week’s figure of ZMW 8.21 million.
Copperbelt Energy Corporation Zambia (CECZ) was the dominant player in terms of trading value, contributing 92.41% of the total turnover with 719,491 shares exchanged. The REIT REIZUSD also made notable gains, rising by 12.5% from USD 0.08 to USD 0.09 per unit, reflecting growing investor interest in property-backed assets.
Among the top gainers, AECI led the pack with a 24.71% increase in share price, closing at ZMW 65.00 (USD 2.74), followed by ZMFA, which gained 20% to reach ZMW 12.00. On the downside, Puma Energy saw the biggest loss, dropping 7.82% to close at ZMW 4.60, while ZMBF and SCBL also posted minor declines of 2.93% and 0.36%, respectively.
The Zambian Kwacha appreciated against all major currencies, gaining 2.54% against the USD, 3.24% against the South African Rand (ZAR), 3.15% against the British Pound (GBP), and 3.13% against the Euro (EUR), a trend that could support imported capital equipment for businesses and stabilize inflation.
Agricultural giant Zambeef issued a further cautionary announcement regarding British International Investment’s (BII) convertible preference shares, warning that post-September 2024 conversion rights may impact its share price.
In the energy and finance sectors, CEC Africa (CCAF) reported legal developments in Nigeria tied to a disputed takeover of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, urging shareholders to remain cautious as the matter proceeds in court.
Meanwhile, treasury bill yields showed slight movements with the 91-day T-bill increasing to 11.50% and the 182-day and 364-day bills holding at 12.00% and 14.50%, respectively. Year-on-year inflation stood at 14.10%, with the Bank of Zambia maintaining the monetary policy rate at 14.50%.
Investor sentiment appears to be strengthening, driven by positive currency trends, a resilient energy sector, and notable price gains across select equities. With no pending dividends and stable macroeconomic indicators, attention in the coming weeks may shift to corporate earnings reports and regional economic updates.
