The local market was reasonably active this week, with the NSX Local index down 0.18% at 625, and the NSX Overall Index down 0.48% at 1377. As at 18 June, FirstRand Namibia was the largest local company on the exchange, with market capitalization of N$ 10.3 billion, followed by Namibia Breweries with N$ 10 billion, Trustco Group with N$ 8.7 billion, and Capricorn Investment Group with N$ 8.3 billion. Agra lead the market this week with growth of 0.61% to close at N$ 1.64 per share. In terms of volume FirstRand Namibia lead the market with N$ 1.9 million worth of shares traded, with Trustco Group in second place with N$ 1.1 million worth of shares traded. The local currency gained 0.15% against the US Dollar, to close at N$ 14.64 per USD, and gained 1.39% against the British Pound, to close at N$ 18.40 per GBP. It closed at N$ 16.40 against the Euro, a gain of 1.32%.
The Namibia Statistics Agency released the inflation figures for the month of May 2019, and revealed that annual inflation is now 4.1% compared to 3.8% the same time last year, having reduced from the 4.5% recorded for April 2019. Increases in price were noted in Food and beverages (3.9% to 4.4%), Education (9.9% to 12.0%), Transport (5.6% to 7.6%), Communications (-0.1% to 1.3%), Recreation and culture (2.4% to 4.5%) and Hotels and restaurants (3.3% to 4.7%). Zone 1 (Otjozondjupa, Kunene, Oshana, Omusati, Oshikoto, Ohangwena, Kavango East, Kavango West and Zambezi) saw inflation of 3.3% compared to 4.3% last year, with Zone 2 (Khomas) seeing inflation of 4.1% compared to 2.9% last year. Zone 3 (Omaheke, Hardap, Karas and Erongo) had inflation of 5.1%, which was the same as last year.
