Three weeks into March 2021 bond trading on the LuSE, and about this time last year is when the Zambia Economy felt the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic as it was around this time when places begun to shut down and we entered our own form of lockdown. The equities market is still not looking up as the bond market completely dominated the equities market by a 100% in comparison to this time last year when the equities market recorded a 12% to 88% on the bond market.
Although little trading activity within certain company securities we see that Shoprite Holdings South Africa is Group’s sales increasing by 4.7% for the six months. Within that, our core Supermarkets RSA segment, representing 78.0% of Group sales, increased sales by 5.6%. Adjusting for the closure of our RSA LiquorShop business as a result of nationwide COVID-19 lockdown regulations, our Supermarkets RSA business grew sales by 7.8%. This is an incredible result given that our customer base spans the entire South African food retail spectrum. Our South African supermarkets’ internal selling price inflation of 4.3% for the six months reflects our unwavering commitment to our customers on price. In true Shoprite style it was a collective effort across our Shoprite, Usave, Checkers and Checkers Hyper banners and the team is to be commended. Insignificantly more adverse conditions, our Supermarkets Non-RSA continuing operations achieved constant currency sales growth of 0.9%. The business remained vigilant, combating the challenges faced across Africa, however, currency devaluations again eroded much of our efforts. We closed the last of our Kenyan stores in February 2021 and are at the approval stage interms of the sale of our Nigeria supermarket operation.
Equity Market
In the week ended 19th March 2021, a total of 285,354 shares were transacted in 150 trades, yielding a market turnover of K496,964. Trading activity was recorded in CEC ZAMBIA , INVESTRUST , LAFARGE , REI ZAMBIA, STANDARD CHARTERED ZAMBIA, ZAMBEEF, ZANACO, ZAMBIA FORESTRY and FOREST CORPORATION and CEC AFRICA on the quoted tier. The Index (LASI) closed at 3,974.75 points. The market closed on a capitalization of K57,625,843,385 including Shoprite Holdings and K23,392,072,200 excluding Shoprite Holdings.
Bond Market
Bonds of total face value of K867,152,000 were transacted in 17 trades, resulting in a market value sales of K387,894,000.
The bond market records better performance per week in the month of March.
Important announcements
Notice is hereby given that the 6 th Annual General Meeting of EIZ Properties Plc in respect of the period ended 31st December 2020, will be held at Mulungushi Conference Centre, Lusaka on Friday 9 th April, 2021 at 10:00 hrs, it will both physical for a restricted number of people following strict Covid-19 Ministry of Health guidelines and a virtue platform will be provided, for the purposes of deliberating on the following;
The board has declared an interim dividend of 191 cents (2019: 156 cents) per ordinary share, payable to shareholders on Monday, 12 April 2021. The dividend has been declared out of income reserves. The last day to trade cum dividend will be Tuesday, 6 April 2021. As from Wednesday, 7 April 2021, all trading of Shoprite Holdings Ltd shares will take place ex dividend. The record date is Friday, 9 April 2021. Share certificates may not be dematerialisedor rematerialised between Wednesday, 7 April 2021, and Friday, 9 April 2021, both days inclusive.