NSE closes August higher as investor confidence lifts all major indices

Kenya's equity market finished August on a high note on Monday, August 31, 2026, as investor confidence lifted all major indices on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE). All significant NSE indices ended the month with gains, with the NSE All Share Index (NASI) leading the charge, up 1.19% to 251.33 points. The NSE 10 Share Index increased 0.99% to 2,719.98 points, while the NSE 25 Share Index rose 0.69% to 6,960.48 points.

The NSE 20 Share Index climbed 0.38% to 4,325.62 points, and the Banking Sector Index edged up 0.15% to 285.77 points. At the close of trading, market capitalization totaled approximately Ksh4.26 trillion. Car & General was the day's top performer, surging 9.92% to Ksh257.50, followed by Unga Group at 8.86% and SKL at 7.50%. Diamond Trust Bank rose 4.00%, and Express Kenya gained 3.32%.

The company's share price had climbed from Ksh33 in mid-August 2025 to about Ksh374 earlier in August 2026, driven by improved financial performance. Profit after tax more than quadrupled to Ksh2.60 billion, and revenue increased 30% to Ksh15.6 billion. Car & General's movements were amplified by its relatively low free float, with roughly 10% of its 80 million shares available for trading.

The broader NSE market also enjoyed strong gains in 2026, with the NASI up 34.7% year-to-date and market capitalization surpassing Ksh4 trillion in August. The market added about Ksh1 trillion in value since November 2025. Banking, energy, and insurance sectors contributed to the market's performance, along with new listings like Family Bank and Kenya Pipeline Company.

The NSE reported a 386% increase in profit to Ksh736.9 million in the first half of 2026, supported by higher turnover and market activity. The latest session marked a strong finish to August as investor confidence persisted in supporting market performance.