Heavy cap counters weighed down the ZSE in the first week of November, as liquidity constraints continued to hamper market performance. The All-Share Index was 0.95% weaker at 211.65pts while, the Industrial Index followed suit as it dropped 0.95% to 211.59pts. The Blue-Chip Index retreated 1.23% to close pegged at 208.74pts, mainly weighed down by losses in BAT, Dairibord, FML and Econet. On the contrary, the Mid Cap Index was 0.12% firmer at 242.68pts. Elsewhere, spirits and wines producer AFDIS delivered a strong set of financials in which revenue rose by 54% to US$40.40m, reported a PAT of US$3.59m and declared a dividend of US$0.0050 per share.
The market closed with a negative breadth of two as seventeen counters faltered against fifteen that advanced while, one sailed stable. Agriculture concern Ariston led the laggards of the week on a 33.33% retreat to $0.0200, followed by cigarette producer BAT that plummeted 27.75% to $70.5345. Sugar refiner Star Africa eased 21.86% to $0.0308 while, exchange operator ZSE Holdings continued to lose ground as it shed 15.31% to end at a VWAP of $1.1226. Dairy processor Dairibord tumbled 14.70% to settle at $1.7500 while, Willdale was 12.25% lower at $0.0351. Life assurer First Mutual closed the week pegged at $1.2025 following an 8.62% descent. Telecommunications giant Econet fell by 7.56% to $5.0050 having recovered from a low of $4.8500, it reached during the week. Packaging company Proplastics was down 7.48% to $1.0200 while, property concern Mashonaland dipped 6.67% to $0.8400. Trading in the positive was banking group ZB that advanced 19.60% to $3.6000, trailed by FMP that garnered 14.67% to $1.2890. Paper and batteries producer ART gained 14.29% to end at $0.0800 while, Bankers TNCI closed at $0.1218 following a 13.07% ascent, post the release of its HY26 results in which it reported a PAT of ZWG$109.60m. CBZ garnered 10.28% to close at $8.6000 while, hotelier RTG was 9.52% higher at $1.1500. Seed producer SeedCo Limited enhanced its price by 3.11% to $3.9000. Banking group FBC rebounded by 2.56% to close at $8.0000 while, TSL was up by 2.31% to settle at $2.1997, where supply could be found. Retailer OK Zimbabwe added 1.85% to close the week at $0.2042 as it capped the top ten worst performers.