Moroccan equities ended Thursday's trading session in negative territory as sector-level weakness in Utilities, Banking and Mining pressured the benchmark. At the close in Casablanca, the Moroccan All Shares index recorded a 0.29% decline.
Market breadth was tilted in favour of advancers by count, even as headline returns were negative: 32 issues gained, 21 retreated and 9 finished unchanged on the Casablanca Stock Exchange.
The session's top performers on the Moroccan All Shares included M2M Group (CSE:M2M), which climbed 6.92% - an increase of 24.90 points - finishing at 384.90. Societe des Boissons du Maroc SA (CSE:SBM) posted a 6.32% rise, gaining 127.00 points to close at 2,138.00. Lesieur Cristal (CSE:LES) also moved higher, up 4.26% or 13.00 points to end the day at 318.00.
On the downside, SMI (CSE:SMI) led losses after slipping 4.59%, a drop of 289.00 points to settle at 6,010.00. Fenie Brossette (CSE:FBR) declined 3.05%, falling 8.50 points to 270.00, while CDM (CSE:CDM) decreased 2.97%, down 28.80 points to finish at 940.20.
Commodities trading showed notable moves that accompanied the local equity activity. Crude oil for September delivery rose 6.24%, gaining 5.42 to trade at $92.25 a barrel. Brent crude for September delivery increased 7.21%, or 6.78, to reach $100.85 a barrel. Precious metals moved in the opposite direction: the August Gold Futures contract fell 2.34%, a decline of 97.23, to trade at $4,054.67 a troy ounce.
Currency pairs affecting local market flows were relatively stable. EUR/MAD was down 0.16% to 10.69, while USD/MAD was unchanged at 9.38. Global dollar strength was evident in the futures market, as the US Dollar Index Futures advanced 0.36% to 101.32.
The session presented a mixed picture: a modest overall market decline driven by specific sector weakness, accompanied by outsized moves in oil and Brent prices and a pullback in gold futures. While several individual stocks posted double-digit percentage gains, sector-level headwinds left the benchmark in negative territory at the close.
Market snapshot
- Moroccan All Shares -0.29% at close in Casablanca.
- Advancers 32, Decliners 21, Unchanged 9.
- Notable gainers: M2M Group (CSE:M2M) +6.92%, Societe des Boissons du Maroc SA (CSE:SBM) +6.32%, Lesieur Cristal (CSE:LES) +4.26%.
- Notable decliners: SMI (CSE:SMI) -4.59%, Fenie Brossette (CSE:FBR) -3.05%, CDM (CSE:CDM) -2.97%.
Commodities and FX
- Crude oil (September) +6.24% to $92.25 a barrel.
- Brent oil (September) +7.21% to $100.85 a barrel.
- August Gold Futures -2.34% to $4,054.67 a troy ounce.
- EUR/MAD -0.16% at 10.69; USD/MAD unchanged at 9.38.
- US Dollar Index Futures +0.36% at 101.32.
This session underlines a market environment where selective stock-level strength can coexist with broader sector-driven weakness. Investors monitoring Moroccan equities will see a small benchmark decline alongside volatility in energy and precious metals markets.