Moroccan equities finished the trading session in Casablanca lower on Friday, with the broad Moroccan All Shares index dropping 1.76% at the close. The retreat was driven by weakness across the Utilities, Banking and Mining sectors.
The session's top performers included Societe des Boissons du Maroc SA (CSE:SBM), which gained 5.93% - a rise of 117.00 points - to close at 2,090.00. Med Paper (CSE:MDP) advanced 2.86%, adding 0.70 points to finish at 25.20. Sanlam Maroc SA (CSE:SAH) also posted a positive result, up 1.16% or 25.00 points to end the day at 2,175.00.
On the downside, Disway SA (CSE:DWY) led declines, sliding 9.82% - down 81.00 points - to close at 744.00. Marocaine Ste de Therapeutique SA (CSE:SOT) fell 6.77%, a loss of 113.00 points, to finish at 1,555.00. Alliances (CSE:ADI) declined 5.42%, or 22.50 points, to end at 393.00.
Market breadth favored falling issues on the Casablanca Stock Exchange, where 46 stocks closed lower, 10 advanced and 5 were unchanged.
Commodities and rates
Energy and metals markets showed mixed moves alongside the equity decline. Crude oil for April delivery rose 0.77%, or $0.74, to $96.47 a barrel. Brent oil for May delivery increased 1.01%, or $1.01, to $101.47 a barrel. By contrast, the April Gold Futures contract dropped 1.64%, or $83.99, to trade at $5,041.81 a troy ounce.
Currency and dollar measures
In foreign exchange, the euro fell against the Moroccan dirham, with EUR/MAD down 0.26% to 10.80. The US dollar strengthened versus the dirham, with USD/MAD rising 0.45% to 9.43. The US Dollar Index Futures was stronger as well, up 0.54% at 100.29.
Overall, the session closed with notable sectoral pressure in utilities, banking and mining, a clear negative breadth reading and commodity and currency moves that accompanied the equities retreat.