Casablanca – The Casablanca Stock Exchange ended the February 23 session in negative territory, reversing early hesitation into a confirmed downward close, with moderate trading volumes and mixed sector performances shaping the day.
The session had opened slightly lower, extending a cautious tone seen at the start of trading. However, the focus shifted to the closing figures, which showed a broader pullback across the main indices.
The benchmark MASI fell 0.26% to 18,651.76 points, bringing its year-to-date decline to 1.03%. The MASI 20 dropped 0.41% to 1,439.26 points, while the MASI ESG index shed 0.30% to 1,257.35 points. Market capitalization stood at MAD 1,035.87 billion ($103.59 billion) at the close.
Total trading volume reached MAD 186.21 million ($18.62 million), largely concentrated on the central market. Itissalat Al-Maghrib led turnover with MAD 24.82 million ($2.48 million), followed by Société Générale des Travaux du Maroc with MAD 16.13 million ($1.61 million) and Société Métallurgique d’Imiter at MAD 15.87 million ($1.59 million).
TGCC and Résidences Dar Saada were also among the most actively traded stocks, reflecting concentrated liquidity in a limited group of shares.
On the gaining side, SMI posted the strongest advance of the session, rising 6.20% to MAD 6,185 ($618.50). Zellidja S.A climbed 4.35% to MAD 240 ($24.00), while Minière Touissit gained 4.18% to MAD 3,490 ($349.00).
Lesieur Cristal added 3.86% to MAD 350 ($35.00), and Microdata increased 3.83% to MAD 824.90 ($82.49), providing pockets of support within the market.
On the downside, Agma recorded the sharpest decline, falling 6.00% to MAD 6,444 ($644.40). Stokvis Nord Afrique dropped 4.15% to MAD 85.33 ($8.53), Jet Contractors lost 3.56% to MAD 2,630 ($263.00), and Salafin retreated 3.28% to MAD 542 ($54.20). Bank of Africa closed 2.74% lower at MAD 213 ($21.30), contributing to the broader negative finish.
By the end of trading, the Casablanca market confirmed a red close, marked by index-wide declines, selective gains in mining and industrial counters, and turnover levels that remained contained throughout the session.
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