I dont have any holding in Equity,but if there is a share which can defy all, this it.At 23.75 now and demand seven times supply let us see.

@mukiha and @ renegade, I will show u what I mean when it heads sub 20. For now my math will remain senseless... Algo forecasting trading. That's the method

Upstaging them in Market Capitalisation is a whole different ball game however

Equity Bank became the first Kenyan Bank to announce its 1H 2011 earnings; KCB is expected to report its earnings tomorrow. Equity Bank's 1H 2011 earnings missed my estimate by many miles, i expected 1H growth in PAT to be in 70-84% range as per the CEO's bullish sentiments earlier this year never the less Equity Bank’s growth momentum slowed in the 2Q of 2011, this is mainly due to high inflation which slowed down lending to consumers. Non interest income just like in the 1Q contributed 44% of total operating income. If Equity Bank is able to maintain this performance in the second half full year 2011 PAT will come in at around Sh9.4 Billion versus Sh7.1 Billion for 2010. I expect the 2H to be more challenging than the 1H mainly due to high inflation which is projected to hit 22% by year end, I expect interest rates to go up as CBK battles to contain the run away inflation, the two factors might further slowdown lending in the 2H and thus slow down growth in terms of EPS and PAT, my price target on the stock is now Sh26.
Read more here http://www.contrarianinv...momentum-slows-down.html

Why do some guys here believe Raila would frustrate equity? If l remember correctly, Raila himself was the guest of honour in opening Equity Bank branches in Bondo, Siaya & Homa Bay. He himsefl encouraged locals to get loans from Equity to develop their businesses. Jetlink in which Raila has considerable shares banks with 3 banks, including Equity. Where does this perception that he would frustrate Equity is coming from?

Separately, Equity needs a few years to reach Safaricom. Granted Safaricom has come under pressure due to tariff pricing and market regulation, but at this rate, Equity need 2.5 - 3 years to reach safaricom's profitability.

It will be in the interest of RAO to protect Equity for some reasons you have mentioned above and for political reasons.

However in my opinion it will not be that easy for Equity to march Safcom, the assumption of 2.5 to 3 years means that safcom will stagnate at the same levels or competition will eat into it, well what if one operator closes shop and this could also happen within the same period....

I dont have a holding in Safaricom but if there is a share that has a fanatic following and DOES NOT makes people money, this is it ...though i cant touch it...

Just saying also...

@ycs, some of us have made good money in safcom more than once. With safcom its all about timing.

True, they get all patriotic when anything to do with it pops up! & are still willing to hold saying the 'mama mbogas' have almost all sold thus the real investors wamebaki sasa!

UG and SS made Sh510M in 1H 2011 http://www.businessdaily...30/-/2sr9sa/-/index.html