BancABC launches stock market handbook

Brian Benza
Staff Writer | Friday June 15, 2012 00:00

 

The handbook covers all domestic and foreign companies listed on the Botswana, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe stock exchanges. BancABC group managing director, Douglas Munatsi, Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) CEO Hiran Mendis and publisher of the book, Jonathan Waters will make presentations at the launch.

Each profile in the CASE provides contact details and snapshots of listed companies. It covers their financial results; share price performance and volumes traded in 2011 and takes a look at prospects in the year ahead.

The book also carries liquidity levels and compares the performance of the three markets in US dollars. The top 20 shareholders and directors of all the companies profiled are listed, making it a valuable resource for investors interested in the region.  New Zanj, an independent compiler of economic data and company analysis, publishes the annual handbook after companies with December year-ends have reported financial results. All listed companies are given the opportunity to check their entry.

The (CASE) handbook this year has extended its geographical reach with the inclusion of Botswana. Prior to 2012, the CASE Handbook only covered Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. From 110 firms last year, the 2012 CASE now profiles over 130 companies in the region.

An overview of 2011 and the year ahead is provided by Aurelius, an independent commentator with experience in all four markets.In a statement, Waters said: 'In all four markets there is a dearth of independent information.

This is the first time all four appear together in a readable format where we have used US dollars throughout for easy comparison purposes for international investors.'

The handbook lists stockbrokers and custodial services in the four markets and is intended to inform rather than advise potential investors of company prospects in the year ahead. The profiles are not a recommendation to buy or sell securities. The 544-page book is available in all good bookshops throughout the region, and Exclusive Books in Gaborone.

BancABC, which also sponsors the 2011 edition, has operations in Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe and has a group services office located in South Africa.