Casablanca - Morocco's broad market finished the trading session modestly lower on Thursday, with the Moroccan All Shares index retreating 0.22% by the close. Market weakness was led by declines in the Utilities, Banking and Mining sectors, which collectively pulled the benchmark into negative territory.
Among individual performers, IB Maroc Com SA (CSE:IBC) posted the strongest gain of the day, climbing 5.08% - a rise of 3.00 points to finish at 62.00. Miniere Touissit (CSE:CMT) advanced 2.04%, adding 90.00 points to settle at 4,493.00, while Bmce Bank (CSE:BOA) strengthened 1.69% with a 3.45-point increase to 207.00 at the close.
On the downside, Cartier Saada (CSE:CRS) led losers, falling 4.14% or 1.30 points to end at 30.10. Fenie Brossette (CSE:FBR) slipped 3.90%, down 11.90 points to 293.00, and Residences Dar Saada SA (CSE:RDS) declined 3.37%, a decrease of 4.95 points to 142.05.
Broader market breadth showed more decliners than advancers: 37 stocks fell versus 13 that rose, while 11 issues finished unchanged on the Casablanca Stock Exchange.
Miniere Touissit marked an all-time high in the session, rising 2.04% or 90.00 points to reach 4,493.00.
Commodities trading displayed notable moves during the same period. Crude oil for May delivery jumped 8.62%, gaining $8.14 to trade at $102.55 a barrel. Brent oil for June delivery rose 4.99%, up $4.73 to $99.48 a barrel. In metals, the June Gold Futures contract increased 0.22%, adding $10.45 to trade at $4,787.65 a troy ounce.
Foreign exchange rates were largely steady. The euro-to-Moroccan-dirham rate (EUR/MAD) was effectively unchanged, up 0.02% to 10.87, while the U.S. dollar-to-MAD (USD/MAD) held flat with a 0.03% change to 9.31. The U.S. Dollar Index Futures declined 0.14% to 98.79.
Summary of market movers and macro moves:
- Top winners: IB Maroc Com SA (CSE:IBC) +5.08% to 62.00; Miniere Touissit (CSE:CMT) +2.04% to 4,493.00; Bmce Bank (CSE:BOA) +1.69% to 207.00.
- Top losers: Cartier Saada (CSE:CRS) -4.14% to 30.10; Fenie Brossette (CSE:FBR) -3.90% to 293.00; Residences Dar Saada SA (CSE:RDS) -3.37% to 142.05.
- Commodity context: Brent and WTI crude both rose, while gold moved marginally higher.
The session's price action underscores selective strength among mining and banking names despite overall weakness in sectors such as utilities. The market breadth and commodity price moves will likely be watched by investors monitoring sector rotation and cost inputs for resource-related companies.