Standard Group Shares Soar as Speculators Stimulate Demand

Standard Group Limited, the loss-making media giant, led the price gainers when trading at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) closed business on Friday, with an uptick in share price of 10% to close at KSh 6.82. This is, however, below its 52-week high of KSh 7.14 set on  14^th July , 2025.

According to investment bankers, the ongoing KSh 1.5 billion rights issue, which is meant to repair its torn balance sheet and drive the media house’s digital transformation, has lit the appetite of NSE investors. Others attribute increased activity on the counter to speculative traders.

SGL posted a net loss of KSh 1.1 billion at the end of 2024 compared to a net loss of KSh722 million in 2023. Revenues also fell to KSh 1.8 billion, down from KSh 2.3 billion in 2023.

The Standard Group Plc is betting on the upcoming rights issue, stiff cost-cutting measures and new revenue streams to power its recovery plan. It also plans to be aggressive in debt collection, to recover close to KSh 1 billion shillings that remains owed by government institutions and other private firms.

The 123-year-old Media House has been hit by reduced advertising spend from both corporate clients and government institutions, coupled with a downturn in audience engagement, due to a shift in media consumption that has opened up competition to more digital operators, radio and TV stations.

Despite these challenges, SGL is struggling to deliver high-quality news and entertainment across its print, broadcast, and digital platforms. Shareholders have shown confidence in the Group’s future, providing additional funding and committing to further support.

At the close of business, Friday, SGL was followed by Satrix MSCI World Feeder EFT which was up 9.99% and Eaagads which edged 7.93%.

Kakuzi led the losers with a price depreciation of 9.07% to close the day at KSh 310.00 followed by Sanlam Kenya which declined by 5.85%, NMG by 5.45%, Longhorn by 5.08%. Safaricom was the biggest mover with 9.55m shares followed by Kenya Re 5.55m, Equity 1.57m and KPLC 1.32m.

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