NSE Closes the Week on a Mixed Note as October Rolls Out

NSE(Nairobi Securities Exchange) closed its trading week today on a mixed note with the NASI and NSE 20 Share Index inching lower by 2% each. The N10 eased by 0.15 while the NSE 25 Index remained flat.

According to a market report by Standard Investment Bank(SIB), Nation Media Group(NMG)was the day’s leading loser, its share price falling 4.3% to 15.40. Other losers were BK Group which slid 3.6% to close at KSh 59.75, Eaagads which also declined by 3.6% to KSh 28.10, Home Afrika and Sameer Africa.

NSE top gainers and losers

Top gainers were BOC which rose 5.1% to KSh 191.00 followed by Longhorn which was up 4.1% to KSh 2.79, Crown Paints, I&M Bank and Total Kenya.

Leading movers this Friday were led by I&M Bank followed by Safaricom, KCB, Equity Group, EABL and KenGen.

In September, the NSE closed September on a bearish note, with the broad market contracting 2.3%, a sharp reversal from the 5.7% and 6.1% gains recorded in August and July, respectively.

Other key indices delivered mixed results: while the NSE 20 fell by 0.2% , the N10 and NSE 25 posted modest gains of 0.5% and 0.2% , respectively.

For 3Q26, benchmark indices delivered robust quarterly capital gains. The NSE 20 accelerated its momentum—advancing 15.0%  to outpace its performance in both 1Q26 and 2Q26. Conversely, while the NASI (9.6% ), N10 (13.5%), and NSE 25  was up 12.4% ) posted strong quarterly growth, their expansion trailed the peak levels reached in 2Q26.

Profit-taking emerged as a dominant theme throughout the quarter, as investors continued to lock in returns following the bull run in prior quarters. In line with expectations, foreign activity remained net-negative, recording net capital outflows of US$ 75.7million in 3Q26.

Safaricom was the top traded stock in the quarter, accounting for 22.3% of the overall turnover, with banking stocks topping the majority of the top traded list – activity being concentrated on KCB Group, Equity Group, and ABSA. Africa Mega Agricorp was the quarter’s top gainer, soaring 218.4% to KSh 354.25. Home Afrika, on the other hand, shed.

Analysts anticipate 4Q26 to close on a bullish note – with profit-taking activities being salient as investors rebalance their books. That said, geopolitics remains a prevailing risk, which may thaw bullish sentiments, in the case of an advancement. From a corporate action vantage point, November takes the centre stage in the quarter, with banking sector 3Q25 and Safaricom 1H27 earnings expected in the month.