African Stock Market Performance in First Quarter, 2015

The Uganda Securities Exchange closed the first quarter (Q1) 2015 as the best performer (in local currency term), leading others on the continent. The exchange appreciated by 7.8 per cent. On the contrary, Nigerian Stock Exchange closed as the worst performer, shedding about 8.4 percent in the Q1.   Apart from Uganda that led with 7.8 per cent, the Nairobi Securities Exchange closed the Q1 with a growth of 7.5%, as well as Casablanca Stock Exchange, Morocco, Namibia Stock Exchange and the Johannesburg STOCK Exchange ended with rise of 6.8 per cent, 5.8 per cent and 4.8 percent respectively. On the other hand, Stock Exchange of Mauritius went down by 4.8 per cent, while Ghana Stock Exchange shed 1.8 per cent.  The performance adjustment for currency movement, the Malawi Stock Exchange is the overall performer with a growth of 9.7 per cent at end of Q1, followed by Nairobi Securities Exchange with a rise of 5.3 per cent. On the other hand,  the compounded impact of currency depreciation makes Ghana Stock Exchange the worst performer for foreign investors (in dollar term).   Complied by Capital Markets in Africa