In the local stock market this week, the NSX Local index experienced a marginal uptick of 0.06%, settling at 672.5, while the NSX Overall Index faced a slight downturn of 0.73%, closing at 1559.5. As of January 16, 2024, FirstRand Namibia claimed the top spot as the largest local company on the exchange, boasting a market capitalization of N$ 13.1 billion. It was followed by Capricorn Group at N$ 8.8 billion, Namibia Breweries at N$ 6.5 billion, and Mobile Telecommunications at N$ 5.7 billion. This week, Agra led the market, concluding at N$ 3.3 per share after a noteworthy growth of 4.4%. Letshego Holdings Namibia secured the second position, closing at N$ 4 with a growth rate of 2.3%. In terms of trading volume, Namibia Breweries dominated the market with N$ 1.3 million worth of shares traded, while Standard Bank Namibia Holdings secured the second spot with N$ 1.0 million worth of shares traded. The local currency faced a 1.45% depreciation against the US Dollar, closing at N$ 18.97 per USD. Additionally, it experienced a 0.88% decline against the British Pound, closing at N$ 23.97 per GBP. The Euro also posed a challenge, as the Namibian Dollar closed at N$ 20.63, reflecting a 0.94% loss.
Namibia’s annual inflation rate continued its downward trajectory in December 2023, decelerating to 5.3 percent from 6.9 percent in the prior year period. The main driver of inflationary pressures was food and non-alcoholic beverages, which contributed 1.4 percentage points. Alcoholic drinks and tobacco chipped in an additional 1.1 points, while rising housing, utilities and transport costs added 0.8 and 0.6 points respectively. On a regional basis, the zones told differing inflation stories. At 5.9 percent, the far northern communal regions of Zone 1 recorded the steepest price increases. Zone 2 comprised solely of central Khomas charted a 5 percent inflation rate. Meanwhile Zone 3, clustered in the southern half of the country, saw the lowest rise in living costs at 4.9 percent.
