By OSSENE OUATTARA
Three important dates for the BRVM [Regional Stock Exchange], in 2017. On Tuesday 24 October, NSIA Bank goes public. It is followed by ECOBANK Ivory Coast, the 12 December. A week later, the BRVM opens up to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Through the launch of its 3rd Compartment, opportunity is given to small companies with high growth potential of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) to be listed as well. Objective, to give them visibility on the subregional financial market.
These major events testify to the good health of the Community Fellowship. Compared to other rating institutions in the world, the BRVM is on a positive dynamic. With an average of 11.26% obtained over the 2012-2017 period, it ranks ahead of New York Stock Exchanges (NYSE Composite: 9.79%), Paris (Euronext CAC 40: 9.22%) and Shanghai (SSE Composite Index: 8.83%) . In Africa, it is behind Nairobi (NASI: 18.78%) and Nigeria (NSE All Share: 14.21%). This is apparent from the press conference of its Director General. Kossi Amenounvé took stock of the sub-regional organization, as part of its activities of the year 2017.
This honorable rank of the BRVM, due to favorable factors in WAEMU. Among others, the good evolution of commercial transactions, the growth of services, the strengthening of industrial and agricultural production. These performances did not, however, lead to a significant increase in the overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the Union. It is + 6.7%, against + 6.6% in 2016. In question, inflation in the order of 1.5%, against 0,4% the previous year. According to the director of the BRVM, this situation is due to a rise in food prices. As a result of tensions in the markets for vegetables, fish products and local cereals.
But from January to December 2017, the BRVM Composite index recorded a decline of -16.81%. Moving from 292.17 to 243.06 points. As for market capitalization, figures have gone from 7.706 to 6.836 billion CFA francs. A drop of -11,29%. The bond market was up + 18.34%. That is 2.970 billion CFA francs, against 2.509 billion in 2016.
In terms of transaction volume, 217.77 million shares were exchanged. Against 194.828 millions in 2016. A progression of + 11.78%. Their value represents 267.6 billion CFA against 409.26 billion in 2016. A regression of the order of -34.61%.
The 2017 year was also marked by the capital increase of 9 companies, against 2 in 2016. This represents an amount of 336.8 billions of CFA francs, compared to 37.4 billion in 2016. There is a sharp drop in share prices of 15 companies. All things that encourage the leaders of the BRVM to adopt a strategic action plan for performance prospects, over the period 2018-2020.
