Stocks Market
Casablanca Stock Exchange: MASI slips on final session but locks in a solid August with over 6% monthly gain
The Casablanca Stock Exchange's benchmark MASI index ended the final trading session of August in negative territory, losing 0.61% to settle at 18,931.06 points, slipping just below the symbolic 19,000 mark. Despite this late pullback, the index posted a strong monthly performance of over 6%, recovering losses accumulated during the previous two months. Trading activity remained robust, with Attijariwafa Bank alone accounting for nearly half of the 580 million dirhams traded on the central market.
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MASI ends August on a soft note despite strong monthly performance
The Casablanca Stock Exchange wrapped up the final week of August with a modest pullback, as the benchmark MASI index declined 0.61% to close at 18,931.06 points. The retreat pushed the index just below the psychologically important 19,000-point threshold, though trading volumes remained healthy across the central market.
Total turnover reached 580 million dirhams, with Attijariwafa Bank dominating activity by generating 288 million dirhams in trades—nearly half of the day's total volume. Despite the end-of-month dip, the MASI delivered an impressive monthly gain of more than 6% in August, effectively wiping out the losses accumulated during June and July.
Sector and thematic indices show mixed performance
The broader market indicators painted a varied picture on Friday. The MASI 20, which tracks the exchange's most liquid stocks, settled at 1,362.56 points, down 0.28% on the day and showing a year-to-date decline of 8.55%. The MASI ESG, focused on companies with strong environmental, social, and governance profiles, fell 0.87% to 1,409.94 points, bringing its annual performance to -12.66%. The MASI Mid index, representing mid-cap stocks, slipped a marginal 0.07% to 1,815.12 points, with a year-to-date variation of -1.43%.
Futures market reflects cautious sentiment
On the derivatives front, MASI 20 futures contracts showed contrasting but broadly stable movements. The JUI27 contract declined 0.72% to 1,351.00 MAD, while the MAR27 slipped 0.29% to 1,353.30 MAD. The SEP26 contract posted a slight decrease of 0.04% at 1,358.00 MAD, and the DEC26 contract lost 0.29% to end at 1,355.40 MAD.
Top movers: PRO leads gainers, REB tops decliners
The session's biggest winners were led by PRO, which surged 5.97% to 1,296.00 MAD, followed by MAB rising 3.37% to 916.90 MAD, INV gaining 3.06% to 132.95 MAD, ZDJ advancing 3.00% to 319.80 MAD, and ALM climbing 2.87% to close at 1,901.00 MAD.
On the losing side, REB suffered the steepest decline, dropping 4.76% to 100.00 MAD. It was followed by CAP falling 3.43% to 245.20 MAD, FBR losing 3.23% to 392.00 MAD, ATL retreating 3.01% to 124.15 MAD, and SMI closing 2.82% lower at 6,900.00 MAD.