HARARE – The stock market continued with its positive momentum after closing the last day of 2020 in the green. The year was characterised by currency reforms, economic slowdown and lockdown measures to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus pandemic.

Experts say with their finances already weakened by the pandemic and resulting lockdowns, many companies will not be able to take advantage of a recovery that is likely to be fitful.

At the close of trades, the mainstream All Share Index was up 1.84% to 2,636.34 points.

The Top 10 Index added 1.08% to settle at 1,671.47pts despite losses in Delta. Beverage maker Delta led today’s losers after slumping 11.75% to 2352.88c. CBZ closed the year with yearly returns of 12,093.37% (check our stock market review tomorrow) the most in the year.

FMP and TSL advanced 20% apiece to 270c and 1440c respectively. They were the biggest movers in the day. This saw a 3.09% gain on the Medium Cap Index to 5,491.09pts. Axia and Proplastics added 19.97% and 19.86% to 916.93c and 860.98c in that order.

There were losses in African Sun and Mash Holdings which lost 9.58% and 8.62% to 166.50c and 90.86c respectively.

Truworths 18.92% rise to 29.48c resulted in a 2.88% gain on the Small Cap Index to 11,914.14pts. Partially offsetting the gains recorded was Fidelity which shed 4.65% to close at 190.70c.

Gold miner RioZim was 4.35% lower to 1495.19c and completed the top five losers set.

Market cap stood at ZWL$317.87 billion and turnover reached ZWL$130.91 million with 10.22 million shares traded in 356 trades.

Foreign investors were net sellers after disposing of ZWL$20.36 million against buys of ZWL$6.34 million. The purchases were mainly in Delta at ZWL$2.99 million and Ariston ZWL$2.55 million.