The NASI eased 0.78% to 239.72 while the NSE 20-Share Index rose 0.47% to 4,187.52, a split reflecting a session where breadth was positive, 27 counters up against 21 down. Telecommunication led the losses, down 2.27%, with Investment (-1.51%) and Banking (-0.22%) also softer, while Agricultural (+4.09%) and Automobiles and Accessories (+3.91%) led gainers. Turnover was KES 453.5 million, 28.8% below the 20-session average, with Safaricom (SCOM), KCB (KCB) and Equity (EQTY) the most traded. Foreign investors were net buyers at KES 58.6 million, 28.4% of turnover, buying SCOM and KCB while selling EQTY and BAT.

Safaricom (SCOM) reported half-year net profit up 72% to Sh50.35 billion, driven by M-Pesa growth and an improving Ethiopia performance, a result that sits against the stock's 2.27% sector decline on the day and its position as the most traded counter by value. Equity Group (EQTY) disclosed Sh99.5 billion in social impact and sustainability spending for 2025, including Sh404 billion disbursed to MSMEs, even as the stock saw foreign selling of Sh5.8 million. The Communications Authority flagged data billing disputes as the largest category of telecom complaints in the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, relevant to Safaricom's mobile money and data operations.