Kenya's equities rebound lifts trading

NAIROBI, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Trading at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) rose 45 percent on Thursday boosted by rise in prices of various stocks after weeks of poor performance.

Turnover ended the session at 6 million U.S. dollars on a volume of 21 million shares from 16 million shares on Wednesday worth 4 million dollars.

The benchmark NSE 20 Share Index also rebounded, closing the day 0.7 percent or 25.09 points up at 3,701.57. The increase was the first in weeks.

The indicative index was pushed up by rise in prices of Safaricom (2 percent), Sasini (8 percent), KenolKobil (1.8 percent) and Athi River Mining Cement (10 percent). At least 10 stocks that make the index went up.

Similarly, the NSE All share Index (NASI) increased to close the day at 171.67 from 170.98 points in Wednesday trading.

The most traded counters were Safaricom, KenolKobil, Equity Bank, Cooperative Bank and Barclays Bank moving 8.3 million, 3 million, 1.7 million, 1.5 million and 1.4 million shares respectively.

Foreign investors' participation during the session stood at 74 percent down from 83 percent, with the investors raising up buys.

At the bond market, turnover increased significantly to 23 million dollars from 388,340 dollars. Enditem