An Annual Market Performance Report for the Malawi Stock Exchange (MSE) has shown moderate performance in 2019 as traded volumes surged but value shrunk.

Figures showed the market transacted a total of 1,393,849,808 shares in 3,064 trades in 2019 which is 45.46% above the 958,247,064 shares transacted in 2,153 trades in 2018.

The average daily turnover for the year 2019 was K186,979,664.02 ($256,607.73) compared with K196,354,269.91 ($270,092.62) for the corresponding period 2018, reflecting a decrease of –4.77% (-4.99% in dollar terms), according to the report.

Last year, Minority shareholders of companies that are enlisted on the Malawi Stock Exchange (MSE) observed that share prices have been falling, therefore negatively affecting the shareholders dividends. Minority Shareholders Association of Malawi secretary general Frank Harawa told The Nation newspaper that the local bourse is becoming less appealing to be considered as an investment avenue. The concern follows as the first half of 2019 was considered a struggle for various businesses, following a policy rate that was reviewed twice in that first half alone, not to mention the pre/post election era tension.