LuSE Mid-Week Trading Sees Mixed Performance as Investors Drive Select Gains

LUSAKA, Wednesday  The Lusaka Securities Exchange (LuSE) closed Wednesday’s trading session with a mixed performance, as select counters posted notable gains while the broader market remained largely unchanged.

Market activity was driven by higher trading volumes in CEC Zambia, Zambia Sugar, ZNCO, and SCBL, although only two counters recorded price movements.

Market Movers

Gainers

• Chilanga Cement (CHIL) surged by 6.92%, closing at K70.00, making it the day’s strongest performer.
  The counter recorded 10 trades involving 432 shares worth K28,496.54, reflecting renewed investor interest after several weeks of subdued movement.
• CEC Zambia (CECZ) posted a marginal gain of K0.01 to close at K19.99.
  The counter was among the most active, with 76 trades and 6,787 shares exchanged, valued at K135,480.88, supported by increased demand in the energy and utilities segment.

Losers

• Zambia Sugar (ZSUG) was the only decliner, shedding 0.36 ngwee to close at K66.23.
  It remained one of the highest-value counters, posting 83 trades with 8,388 shares worth K555,490.06.

High-Volume & High-Value Counters

• SCBL recorded one of the highest volumes of the day, with 24,976 shares traded across 26 transactions, valued at K64,181.61.
• ZNCO saw 71 trades with 11,949 shares changing hands, worth K71,683.48.
• REIZUSD, though low in value, saw significant quantity turnover with 2,348 units traded.

Market Stability Dominates Most Counters

Most listed securities including AECI, ATEL, BATZ, Puma, Natbrew (NATB), ZCCM, ZAMBEF (ZMBF), and ZAFFICO (ZFCO) recorded no price changes, signalling cautious investor sentiment ahead of year-end.

ATEL, despite stable pricing at K137.73, posted strong activity with 19 trades valued at K161,418.11, driven by continued telecom-sector interest.

ZAMBEF (ZMBF) maintained stability at K2.21 but recorded 8,190 shares traded across 52 transactions, among the busiest on the exchange.

Market Sentiment & Outlook

Analysts say the mixed performance reflects selective investor positioning, with strong interest in defensive and industrial counters such as Chilanga Cement and CEC Zambia.

ZSUG’s slight pullback comes after extended positive momentum in previous sessions, suggesting short-term profit-taking.

With year-end approaching, traders expect reduced volatility, though activity may pick up as firms rebalance portfolios and investors anticipate Q1 2026 earnings updates.