Equity turnover at the Nairobi Securities Exchange fell 60.6% to KSh 405.5 million on Thursday, 5 November 2026, from KSh 1.08 billion the previous day. Trading volume declined 41.9% to 15.3 million shares, according to data reported by Business Today.
Market Capitalisation and Indices
Market capitalisation rose by approximately KSh 80.43 billion to KSh 4,054.6 billion, reclaiming the KSh 4 trillion level. The recovery was supported by gains in heavyweight counters, led by Safaricom.
All major indices closed higher. The NSE 20 Share Index gained 0.72% to 4,167.97 points. The Nairobi All Share Index (NASI) rose about 2.02%, the NSE 25 climbed 1.63%, and the NSE 10 advanced roughly 1.88%.
Foreign Investor Activity
Foreign investors remained net sellers, recording net outflows of about KSh 61 million. Foreign purchases increased while sales declined compared with the prior session. Local investors accounted for the majority of trading activity during the day.
Bond market turnover fell 65.9% to approximately KSh 8.1 billion from KSh 23.9 billion the previous session.
Top Gainers and Losers
| Company | Price Change | Closing Price (KSh) |
|---|---|---|
| Longhorn Publishers | +7.50% | 2.58 |
| Crown Paints Kenya | +6.08% | 61.00 |
| Safaricom | +3.68% | 35.20 |
| Olympia Capital Holdings | -10.00% | 13.50 |
| Sasini | -4.30% | 22.25 |
Safaricom accounted for 41.1% of the day’s equity turnover. Its shares rose 3.68% following the release of half-year results for the six months to 30 September 2026, in which the company reported group net income of KSh 58.2 billion, up 35.9%. Investors focused on the continued narrowing of losses in its Ethiopia operations.
Context of the Week
Thursday’s lower turnover followed an unusually active week. On Tuesday, 3 November, equity turnover surged to a record KSh 107.7 billion after South Africa’s Nedbank completed a block trade acquiring a 66% controlling stake in NCBA Group. That single transaction dominated activity, after which ordinary trading volumes returned closer to typical levels.
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The session highlights the difference between trading volume and market value on the NSE. Fewer shares changed hands, yet higher prices on major counters lifted overall capitalisation above KSh 4 trillion. Foreign participation remains cautious, with net outflows continuing even as local investors absorb most of the daily flow.
Investors will be watching upcoming corporate results and any further large block trades that could temporarily lift turnover. Absent another major transaction, daily activity is likely to remain closer to the levels recorded on Thursday.