Chamwe Kaira
The Namibian Securities Exchange (NSX) posted a weaker performance for the week of 16 to 20 March 2026, with the overall market index declining 3.65% as losses in basic materials and consumer discretionary stocks weighed on sentiment.
According to the latest NSX data, the overall index fell from 2,148.65 points the previous week to 2,070.30 points, a drop of 78.35 points. This left the index down 3.32% from its December 2025 level of 2,141.33.
The Local Index, however, edged slightly higher during the week, rising 0.11% from 817.61 points to 818.48 points. Since December 2025, the local index has gained 1.33%, supported by a relatively high dividend yield of 8.58%.
On the broader regional front, the JSE All Share Index declined 4.22% week-on-week to 110,070.23 points, down from 114,924.21 points. The index is now 4.97% below its December 2025 level of 115,832.00.
Among sector indices on the NSX, basic materials recorded the sharpest weekly decline, falling 9.00% to 686.37 points from 754.22 points. Consumer discretionary stocks also came under pressure, dropping 4.33% to 2,453.15 points.
The financials sector slipped 0.61% to 694.07 points, while real estate declined 0.52% to 2,395.88 points. Telecommunications also eased slightly, down 0.18% to 302.23 points.
In contrast, consumer staples were the strongest-performing sector over the week, rising 1.98% to 1,291.93 points from 1,266.83 points. Utilities remained unchanged at 1,107.49 points.
Despite the weekly declines across several sectors, some indices remained above their December 2025 levels. Telecommunications were up 0.93% since December, while the local index remained in positive territory for the year to date.
The data also showed that several indices were trading near their 2026 lows by the end of the week. The overall index closed at its lowest level of the year so far, while basic materials also ended the week at its 2026 low.
