The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) began single-share trading on Friday, scrapping the decades-old minimum lot size of 100 shares.
- •The change allows investors to buy and sell in multiples of one share across all boards, significantly lowering the entry cost for retail investors.
- •Under Clause 6.3 of the revised Equity Trading Rules, the minimum board lot is now one share on the Normal Board, Restricted Normal Board, and Recovery Board.
- •The reform replaces a system where most trades required more than KSh 1,000, opening the market to a broader base of participants.
“This move marks a new era of inclusivity. Stocks will now trade in multiples of one, and closing prices will only count when at least 100 shares trade in a session.”
CEO Mwiti said on X.
The rule’s debut coincided with a strong session, as ten counters traded at or above their 52-week highs: BAT at KSh 424.00, Equity at KSh 53.00, KCB at KSh 48.50, KenGen at KSh 7.80, NSE at KSh 10.50, Olympia at KSh 5.46, Stanbic at KSh 185.00, StanChart at KSh 324.50, Sameer at KSh 12.95, and TotalEnergies at KSh 28.00.
Stanbic hit a high a day after releasing H1 2025 results showing profit after tax fell to KSh 6.54 billion from KSh 7.21 billion. Net interest income dropped 5.8% to KSh 11.83 billion, while operating expenses surged 15.5% to KSh 9.39 billion, lifting the cost-to-income ratio to 48.3% from 40.4%. Despite weaker earnings, Stanbic more than doubled its interim dividend to KSh 3.80 per share from KSh 1.84.
Olympia Capital’s momentum is linked to FY2025 results posted last month. While net profit fell 50% to KSh 17.6 million, the company recorded KSh 391 million in total comprehensive income, largely from a KSh 366 million property revaluation gain. Revenue declined 16.3% to KSh 457.2 million, but lower finance costs and operational efficiencies cushioned the bottom line.
Equity Group, which closed at a record KSh 53.00, is set to release its half-year 2025 results on August 11, becoming the second listed bank and the largest by market capitalization to do so this season. KCB Group will follow on August 13, while StanChart is scheduled for August 20.
Sameer Africa extended its exceptional rally, climbing to KSh 12.55, its highest level since March 2008, and cementing a year-to-date gain of 416%, crowning it the NSE’s best-performing stock in 2025.
This interesting and unexpected surge is supported by a sharp turnaround in profitability, a debt-free balance sheet, and the completion of its pivot from tyre manufacturing to an industrial real estate model.
FY2024 results showed net profit more than quintupling to KSh 259.9 million, aided by an KSh 83.6 million unrealised forex gain and the elimination of over KSh 500 million in debt.
Other Gainers
KenGen, which closed its financial year on June 30, has gained 215% over the past 12 months and 104% year-to-date, driven by strong market sentiment and operational performance. TotalEnergies’ rise comes days after paying a KSh 1.92 per share first and final dividend on July 31.
NSE PLC shares are benefitting from renewed optimism over CEO Frank Mwiti’s direct-to-market plan after surviving an ouster attempt by brokers controlling 20% of the company.
The NSE expects the single-share rule to deepen retail participation and enhance market liquidity. Friday’s market activity suggests investors are already responding to the reform.
