On the first day of the trading week, March 18, 2024, MTN Ghana (MTNGH) and CAL Bank (CAL) closed their trading day on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) with divergent outcomes, reflecting their contrasting trajectories in the market.

During the trading session, 10 equities listed on the GSE participated, with mixed results. Notably, MTN Ghana emerged as the sole gainer, witnessing a 3.33% increase in share price. Conversely, CAL Bank faced a decline of 2.08%.

MTN Ghana concluded the day at a share price of GHS1.55, marking a notable 5 pesewa gain from its previous closing price of GHS 1.50. This upward movement solidifies MTN Ghana’s position as a strong performer on the GSE, with a year-to-date (YTD) gain of 10.7%.

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Starting the year at GHS1.40 per share, MTN has demonstrated remarkable resilience, ranking sixth in terms of YTD performance. Notably, MTNGH has emerged as the most traded stock on the GSE over the past three months, with a total volume of 236 million shares valued at GHS 306 million.

With an average of 3.74 million shares traded per session and a volume high of 183 million achieved on March 13, MTN Ghana continues to attract significant investor interest and trading activity.

In contrast, CAL Bank concluded its trading day at a share price of GHS0.47, recording a one pesewa drop from its previous closing price of GHS 0.48. This decline adds to CAL’s challenges, as the stock has experienced a YTD loss of 2.08%, ranking it 34th in terms of YTD performance on the GSE.

Shareholders’ concerns are further exacerbated by the stock’s recent downtrend, with CAL losing 6% of its value from February 16, 2024 to date. These developments underscore the uncertainties surrounding CAL’s performance and the cautious sentiment prevailing among investors.

The divergent fortunes of MTN Ghana and CAL Bank highlight the complex dynamics within the Ghanaian equity market. While MTN Ghana continues to ride on positive momentum, fueled by robust trading activity and steady price appreciation, CAL Bank grapples with challenges stemming from market pressures and shareholder apprehensions.

Benchmark Index Soars, Financial Stocks Dip

In the indices category, the local bourse witnessed a notable surge as its benchmark index, the GSE-Composite Index, closed 60.29 points higher, settling at 3,416.22 points.

This spike not only marked a significant uptick in market performance but also translated into promising returns for investors, with a year-to-date (YTD) return of 9.14%.

However, while the overall market experienced buoyancy, the GSE Financial Stocks Index (GSE-FSI) encountered a slight setback, slipping by 0.05% to reach 1,994.37 points. This is partly due to the dip suffered by one of the blue chips in the financial sector – Cal Bank.

Despite this dip, the index displayed a 4-week gain of 3.58% and a YTD gain of 4.88%, indicating resilience in the financial sector amidst short-term fluctuations.

The day’s trading activity was marked by robust participation, with a total of 6,073,542 shares exchanged, representing a market value of GHS 9,348,126.04. This surge in trading volume amounted to a staggering increase of 13792.21%, underscoring heightened investor interest and engagement in the market.

Overall, the Ghana Stock Exchange continues to serve as a vital platform for investors seeking diverse opportunities and attractive returns. While fluctuations in specific indices and equities are inevitable, the underlying resilience and potential of the market reinforce its significance within the broader economic environment of the country.