u003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eThe local stock market was characterized by heavy trading during the week under review (26 August-2 September 2013). The SEMTRI and the SEMDEX progressed by 0.11% during this time frame.u003c/strongu003eu003c/pu003eu003cpu003eShares worth Rs 249.8 million were exchanged in a market environment that saw the indices close the week on a positive note. The total return index, SEMTRI, finished the session of Monday 2 September 2013 at 6,052.30 points, gaining 6.69 points in one week. The All-share index, SEMDEX, closed the same session at 1,929.79 points.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eSince the start of 2013, the SEMTRI and the SEMDEX have registered double digit gains of 12.83% and 11.42%, respectively. The SEM-7 index, which comprises the seven largest and most liquid stocks, ended at 376.56 points. At market close on Monday, market capitalisation reached Rs 196.07 billion. Foreign investorsu0026rsquo; exposure to the local market in terms of net investment (purchases-sales) since the beginning of 2013 amounted to Rs 877.79 million.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eThe top five traded securities for the week were: State Bank of Mauritius Ltd (SBM), The Mauritius Commercial Bank Ltd (MCB), Phoenix Beverages Ltd (PBL), Mauritius Commercial Bank Ltd u0026ndash; Notes and Lux Island Resorts Ltd. They were exchanged for a total value of Rs 59.6 million, Rs 49.7 million, Rs 34.4 million, Rs 21.6 million and Rs 16.3 million, respectively, during this time frame. The shares of SBM, MCB, PBL, MCB Notes and Lux closed at Rs 1.05, Rs 193.50, Rs 202.50, Rs 1,050.27 and Rs 26.80 on 2u003csupu003endu003c/supu003e September 2013.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eAn analysis of the evolution of the prices of listed stocks indicates that out of the 45 stocks figuring on the Official List, 14 moved up during the week, 22 remained stable and 9 went down. The best performing stocks for the week were: Le Meritt Holdings Ltd (+12.53%), MDIT Ltd (+5.78%), Mauritius Stationery Manufacturers Ltd (+4.65%), Innodis Ltd (+3.57%) and ENL Land Ltd (+3.41%). The worst performers were: Air Mauritius Ltd (-3.38%), CIM Financial Services Ltd (-2.35%), State Bank of Mauritius Ltd (-1.87%), National Investment Trust Ltd (-1.43%) and Alteo Ltd (-1.28%).u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eThe following data highlights the ten best performing stocks in terms of total return since the beginning of 2013.u003c/pu003eu003ctable align=center border=1 cellpadding=
Local market witnesses heavy trading during the week
