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BSE liquidity on the rise

Moving up: The BSE's Domestic Companies Index is up 6.6 percent this year
Moving up: The BSE's Domestic Companies Index is up 6.6 percent this year

The Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) has enjoyed a higher level of both the volume and value of shares traded since begining of the year, approaching levels last seen before the pandemic.

according to a report emailed this week, the BSE recorded equity turnover amounting to P882.3 million between January and September 30, representing a 91% increase from the same period last year and a 64.3% jump from the corresponding period in 2020.

Equity turnover, or the value of shares traded, was recorded at P1.2 billion in 2019, the year before the onset of COVID-19.

BSE figures also show that the number of shares traded between January and September 30 this year reached 405.4 million, compared to 300.4 million and 289.7 million over the same period in 2021 and 2020 respectively. By comparison, 470.7 million shares exchanged hands in 2019.

According to the BSE, for the period under review this year, Letshego Holdings, First National Bank Botswana and Sefalana Holdings accounted for the bulk of the equity turnover at nearly 70%. Of these three, Letshego accounted for P463.2 million or 52.5% of total equity turnover. Much of the pan-African microlender’s shares exchanged hands throughout the two trades in March and June amounting to P325.7 million.

Editor's Comment
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While the political shift brings hope for change, it also places immense pressure on the new administration to deliver on its election promises in the face of serious economic challenges.On another level, newly appointed Finance Minister Ndaba Gaolathe’s grim assessment of the country’s finances adds urgency to the moment. The budget deficit, expected to be P8.7 billion, is now anticipated to be even higher due to underperforming diamond...

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