Egypt's stock market ended trading higher Tuesday with gains toatlling 1.45 billion Egyptian pounds (US$180.5 million) on local and non-Arab foreign investors' buying appetite. Egypt's benchmark stock index, EGX30 rose 0.5 percent to close at 7658.95 points as Emaar Misr climbed 5.2 percent. Late last week and early this week the central bank allowed the Egyptian pound to edge down against the U.S. dollar in the official market, apparently launching another period of managed depreciation. On Tuesday the central bank held the pound steady in the official market but the currency continued sliding in the parallel market, showing investors expect a substantial drop incoming months. Property firms are seen as possible beneficiaries because Egyptians may buy real estate to hedge against a weak currency while foreign investors may be attracted to the sector by lower prices in foreign currency terms, according to Reuters. Meanwhile the country's market capitalization has reached 459.139 billion pounds during the closing session of Tuesday. Indices EGX50 EWI index also hiked 0.79 percent to 1292.47 points EGX20 grew 0.96 percent to 7440.55 points. In addition, the mid- and small-cap index EGX70 went up 0.27 percent to 402.35 points. The price index, EGX100 increased 0.32 percent to 863.13 points. Turnovers lower again On Tuesday, the bourse's trading volume has hit 223.577 million securities, with turnovers closed at 945.413 million pounds, exchanged through 21,485 thousand transactions. Also during the closing session, 167 listed securities have been traded in; 53 declined, 79 advanced; while 32 kept their previous levels. Investors' Activities Local and non-Arab foreign investors were net buyers Tuesday capturing 79.17 percent and 11.3 percent respectively of the total markets, with a net equity of 42.692 million pounds and 13.460 million pounds, respectively, excluding the deals. On the contrary, Arab investors were net sellers seizing 9.33 percent of the total market, with a net equity of 56.153 million pounds, excluding the deals.
