The local market was Quiet this week, with the NSX Local index down 0.02% at 620, and the NSX Overall Index up 4.99% at 1296. As at 15 October, Trustco Group was the largest local company on the exchange, with market capitalization of N$ 11.5 billion, followed by Namibia Breweries with N$ 10 billion, FirstRand Namibia with N$ 8.9 billion, and Capricorn Investment Group with N$ 8.2 billion. In terms of volume Trustco Group lead the market with N$ 596 thousand worth of shares traded, with Capricorn Investment Group in second place with N$ 402 thousand worth of shares traded. The local currency gained 2.61% against the US Dollar, to close at N$ 14.88 per USD, and lost 1.71% against the British Pound, to close at N$ 18.99 per GBP. It closed at N$ 16.42 against the Euro, a gain of 1.91%.
The Namibia Statistics Agency released the inflation figures for the month of September 2019, and revealed that annual inflation is now 3.3% compared to 4.8% the same time last year, having reduced from the 3.7% recorded for August 2019. Decreases in price were noted in transport (12.9% to 2.5%), alcoholic beverages and tobacco (5.6% to 3.3%), health (5.0% to 3.2%), housing, water, electricity, and fuel (3.8% to 2.0%), other goods and services (3.9% to 2.7%), recreation and culture (5.0% to 4.0%) and hotels and restaurants (3.6% to 2.8%). Zone 1 (Otjozondjupa, Kunene, Oshana, Omusati, Oshikoto, Ohangwena, Kavango East, Kavango West and Zambezi) saw inflation of 3.0% compared to 5.3% last year and 3.5% last month, with Zone 2 (Khomas) seeing inflation of 2.7% compared to 4.4% last year and 3.1% last month. Zone 3 (Omaheke, Hardap, Karas and Erongo) had inflation of 4.4%, compared to 5.2% last year and 4.9% last month.
