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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-ZW link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:36.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></p><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=887 style='width:665.4pt;border-collapse:collapse'><tr><td width=880 colspan=4 valign=top style='width:660.25pt;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'><h1 style='margin-left:26.1pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><img width=278 height=111 id="_x0000_i1025" src="cid:image001.png@01D8323D.6A07A770"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--></span><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p></o:p></span></h1></td><td width=6 colspan=2 style='width:4.45pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style='border:none;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm' width=1><p class='MsoNormal'> </td></tr><tr><td width=880 colspan=4 valign=top style='width:660.25pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:solid #D9D9D9 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'></td><td width=6 colspan=2 style='width:4.45pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style='border:none;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm' width=1><p class='MsoNormal'> </td></tr><tr><td width=880 colspan=4 valign=top style='width:660.25pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><b><u><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#002060;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:26.1pt;text-indent:-1.35pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><a href="http://www.bullszimbabwe.com"><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#0070C0'>Bullszimbabwe.com </span></b><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#0070C0;text-decoration:none'> </span></b></a></span><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#0070C0;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'> </span></b><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><a href="mailto:bulls@bulls.co.zw"><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#0070C0'>Views & Comments</span></b></a></span><span class=MsoHyperlink><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#0070C0;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;text-decoration:none'> </span></b></span><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><a href="http://www.bullszimbabwe.com"><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#0070C0'>Bullish Thoughts</span></b></a></span><span class=MsoHyperlink><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#0070C0;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;text-decoration:none'> </span></b></span><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><a href="http://www.twitter.com/BullsBears2010"><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#0070C0'>Twitter</span></b></a></span><span class=MsoHyperlink><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#0070C0;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;text-decoration:none'> </span></b></span><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BullsBearsZimbabwe"><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#0070C0'>Facebook</span></b></a></span><span class=MsoHyperlink><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#0070C0;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;text-decoration:none'> </span></b></span><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/bulls-n-bears-zimbabwe/57/577/72"><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#0070C0'>LinkedIn</span></b></a></span><span class=MsoHyperlink><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#0070C0;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;text-decoration:none'> </span></b></span><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><a href="mailto:info@bulls.co.zw?subject=Unsubscribe"><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#0070C0'>Unsubscribe</span></b></a></span><span class=style30><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:105%;color:#00B050'><o:p></o:p></span></span></p></td><td width=6 colspan=2 style='width:4.45pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'> </span><o:p></o:p></p></td><td style='border:none;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm' width=1><p class='MsoNormal'> </td></tr><tr><td width=880 colspan=4 valign=top style='width:660.25pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'><p class=MsoSubtitle style='line-height:105%'><span class=style30><b><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p></td><td width=6 colspan=2 style='width:4.45pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'> </span><o:p></o:p></p></td><td style='border:none;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm' width=1><p class='MsoNormal'> </td></tr><tr><td width=880 colspan=4 valign=top style='width:660.25pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:26.1pt;line-height:105%'><span class=style30><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Bulls n Bears Daily Market Commentary : 07 March 2022</span></b></span><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td width=6 colspan=2 style='width:4.45pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style='border:none;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm' width=1><p class='MsoNormal'> </td></tr><tr style='height:1.0pt'><td width=880 colspan=4 valign=top style='width:660.25pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:1.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><img border=0 width=779 height=256 id="_x0000_i1034" src="cid:image007.jpg@01D8323E.09605920"></span><span class=style30><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p></td><td width=6 colspan=2 style='width:4.45pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:1.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'> </span><o:p></o:p></p></td><td style='border:none;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm' width=1><p class='MsoNormal'> </td></tr><tr style='height:7.2pt'><td width=881 colspan=5 valign=top style='width:661.0pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:7.2pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><br>ZSE commentary<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>The ZSE shares opened the week with marginal gains in a mixed trading session characterized with low activity. Activity levels were at 513 trades. Star Africa was the most active stock at 33 trades followed by Delta and OK Zimbabwe at 28 and 27 trades respectively. Investor sentiment was positive after the session yielded 18 risers against 15 decliners while six (6) of the active stocks remained unchanged. Econet anchored both volume and value aggregate trading 603,800 shares with a value of ZW82.87 million. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>The All-Share Index added 0.14% to close at 15,131.09 points. The Top 10 Index added 0.17%. The Top 15 Index also added 0.15%. The Medium Cap Index was up by 0.06% to 24,784.70 points whilst the Small Cap Index shaded 0.30% to 401,215.22 points. Leading the risers pack of the day was BAT closed at 324,500c and Lafarge was up by 10.49%. FBC Holdings added 7.95% and Medtech B added 6.25% to 3,400c. Zimplow was up by 5.64%. Mitigating the gains were losses in Nampak and Seed Co which shaded 6.48% and 5.20%. Zimre Holdings was down by 4.77%. African Distillers and Zimpapers shaded 3.77% and 3.25% respectively. The ETFs traded 2,270,365 units worth ZW$4,670,044.75 in 168 trades. The Old Mutual Top 10 ETF added 16.60% to close at 832.71c while the Morgan and Co Multi Sector ETF shaded 1.74% to close at 1395.61c. Datvest MCSI ETF added 17.96% to close at 196.04c. On the VFEX, Padenga traded 275,721 shares to close unchanged at US$0.21.wealthaccesssecurities<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><a href="mailto:info@bulls.co.zw"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=804 height=272 id="Picture_x0020_4" src="cid:image008.jpg@01D8323E.09605920"></span></a><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Global Currencies & Equity Markets<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>South Africa<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>South Africa's rand falls as Ukraine-Russia conflict weighs<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>(Reuters) - South Africa's rand weakened in early trade on Monday, struggling to make significant gains despite strong commodity prices, as concerns about the impact of the Ukraine-Russia conflict on inflation and a global economic recovery weighed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>At 0630 GMT, the rand ZAR=D3 traded at 15.4000 against the dollar, 0.64% weaker than its close on Friday.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>South Africa is a rich commodity-exporting country and a rise in prices of precious metals such as gold and platinum has helped limit losses in the currency as the Ukraine-Russia conflict saps investors appetite for riskier assets.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>"The foreign exchange markets remain at the mercy of the unfolding geopolitical situation," Nedbank analysts wrote in a note. "The rand has for much of this scenario remained relatively resilient, although any gains have been limited and not sustained."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Fighting in Ukraine intensified over the weekend and attempts at a ceasefire to allow civilians to evacuate from the besieged city of Mariupol seem to have so far failed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Markets are bracing for the fallout from rising commodity prices, particularly higher inflation which could pressure the U.S. Federal Reserve and other central banks to quickly tighten monetary policy, just as the world emerges from its pandemic slump.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>On the local front, the focus this week will be on gross domestic product data for the fourth quarter of 2021 due on Tuesday, as well as January mining and manufacturing numbers on Thursday.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>In fixed income, the yield on the benchmark 2030 government bond ZAR2030= was up 3.5 basis points to 9.715%, reflecting weaker prices.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Zambia<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>High taxes hit Zambians in new Budget<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>As Zambia’s copper revenues dwindle government has now unleashed more taxes to make up on the cash deficit.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Finance Minister Felix Mutati has announced steep increases in taxes including Pay As You Earn (PAYE).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>“r. Mr. Speaker, in coming up with the proposed revenue measures, I have sought to increase the level of<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>domestically raised resources while at the same time ensuring that the burden of taxation is borne equitably,” he told Parliament recently when presenting the 2017 Budget.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Mutati added, “Mr. Speaker, many of our citizens and stakeholders have implored the Government to take measures to ensure that the tax base is broadened, made fairer and enhances domestic resource mobilization.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>While broadening the exempt threshold from K3,000 to K3,300 pay as you earn has shot up from 35 percent to 37.s percent for those earning more than K3300 and above.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>The minister maintained the 10 per tax on rentals for housing units.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Zambians will also have to brace for new and raised Value added taxes on imports which range from foodstuffs to motor vehicles.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Zambia is one of the countries in the continent with high taxes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>But the new taxes are n contradiction to the platform the current government used to gain power in 2011.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Riding on the crest on public discontent founder of the Patriotic Front (PF) Micheal Sata who died in 2014 promised Zambians to put more money in their pockets.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>He told usually euphoric crowds his administration would raise the standard of living of the people by lowering taxes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>But after coming into power in 20 11 Sata as PF and national president embarked on a countrywide construction and rehabilitation programme.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Under this exercise new universities, schools, hospitals, clinics health centres and other infrastructures were constructed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Bidding for re-election in 2016 Sata opened up more roads rehabilitated hundreds, constructed bridges and rehabilitated fallen ones.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>But his critics argue while these were noble projects and to the public good, they were largely not budgeted for, while many of them were embarked on without consulting the treasury.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Apart from that commodity prices fell affecting the Chinese economy and mainly those countries that heavily depend on the Asian giant for trade.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>On Zambia’s part Copper production fell drastically so were the national metal revenues.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Second the local currency the Kwacha crashed to its lowest levels against the United States dollar and other convertible currencies.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>As if that was not enough drought swept through the entire Southern Africa discharging a unprecedented lower crop yield in many countries in the region.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>The low level of water in many rivers including the Zambezi and the Kariba dam dropped too.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>The result of the low water levels at Kariba was the emergence of one of the country’s most severe power shortages in the history of the 52 year old nation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>The power deficit resulted in poor performance in industry including the mines as ZESCO, the country’s power utility firm embarked on rationing of electricity which in practical terms meant eight hour black outs daily.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Ghana<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Ghana's Cedi Is Under Stress - Some Long, Medium, and Short Term Solutions<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>An economy with strong fundamentals is one that is resilient, has a well-developed exports base, is industrialised, and creates jobs. That kind of economy can mobilise resources domestically, without much reliance on external support, and can even borrow at a lower cost. The citizens of this kind of economy have good roads, good transportation, good health, and good educational systems. They are well-resourced and free from civil unrest.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>For decades, African countries have chalked up successes but these have not been significant enough to transform their economies. Most countries on the continent are still far from achieving these indicators of an economy with strong fundamentals. They often export primary commodities and import finished products.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>The Ghanaian economy is no exception. It is still very much the Guggisberg economy. Sir Gordon Guggisberg was a British empire colonial administrator in what was then Gold Coast (1919-1927). He designed an economy to focus on the export of raw materials and importation of finished goods. Hence the moniker.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>A century later, cocoa and gold are still Ghana's major exports. Ghana is Africa's top gold exporter at 138.7 tonnes. It has since added oil and gas, and some non-traditional commodities.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Ghana's reliance on exporting raw materials and importing finished products contributed to the country's persistent demand for, and less supply of, foreign currencies. This is why, for a long time, Ghana's cedi has been depreciating against the other major trading currencies.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Why is the cedi depreciating so fast?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Ghana is an import-dependent economy. Because of this, the country continues to buy foreign currency to meet its import demands, with less supply of foreign exchange from its exports. Sometimes, the country records a net gain with exports earnings exceeding import costs, but these are paper gains. The actual money is repatriated by the foreign companies that operate in the country. The retention law is not effective to restrain them from repatriating all their profits.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>The depreciation of the cedi has always been seasonal. It's at its worst between February to March. This is the period during which Ghana-based multinationals repatriate profits. Also, local businesses that had imported goods on credit ahead of the Christmas season settle their debts. These are the major causes of the cedi depreciation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>And the fundamentals have not improved significantly over the years.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>The exchange rate was quite stable, especially during the peak of the COVID-19 period (2020-2021), because imports slowed due to border closures by most countries. But as of 28th February 2022, the Ghanaian cedi was the worst performing currency among 15 top currencies in Africa, depreciating by 7.6% within the first two months of 2022.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>So what has sped up the decline?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>The first reason for the recent depreciation is the increased demand for foreign currencies since most businesses in Ghana are now recovering from the COVID-19 shock. This is not limited to Ghana. Most businesses globally are recovering and getting into serious production.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>The second reason is the country's inability to borrow from the international capital market. Because Ghana isn't able to generate enough foreign exchange through exports, successive governments have tried to manage the depreciation of the cedi through borrowing from the international capital market, issuing dollar-denominated domestic bonds, and depleting the country's foreign exchange reserves.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Whenever Ghana's sovereign bond is no longer profitable and there are not enough reserves to shore up the Cedi, the currency depreciates. The events of March 2019 provide a perfect picture. That month the US Federal Reserve increased its interest rate making it more profitable to attract investors. Investors responded by selling sovereign bonds of developing countries like Ghana.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>The world economy is bouncing back after the pandemic, pushing global inflation up. Inflation has moved from 3.1% in 2020 to 3.8% in 2022. The US inflation has risen from 1.35% in December 2021 to 7.46% in February 2022. The US Federal Reserve has responded by increasing the interest rate, making US sovereign bonds very attractive. Many investors are now selling their bonds in developing countries like Ghana to purchase those of advanced-economies like the US.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Effects of the depreciation<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Depreciation of any currency makes its imports more expensive and exports cheaper. Some countries intentionally devalue their currencies to make their exports cheaper. However, because Ghana's export sector is not significantly developed, the country is not able to take advantage of the Cedi's depreciation by exporting more and earning more foreign exchange. The effect of currency depreciation has been an increase in the cost of imported goods. Most of the imported goods are intermediate goods that are used for local production. This has led to rising inflation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>For example, the ex-pump prices of fuel depend a lot on the exchange rate since a greater part of the refined fuel is imported. Currently, there is increased global demand for crude oil as most industries are now recovering from the effects of COVID. At the same time, the supply of crude oil has slowed down after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The international crude oil price is expected to continue increasing for some time.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>The combined effect of cedi depreciation and increases in international crude oil prices means that the ex-pump price of fuel in Ghana is expected to keep rising, at least until the end of the year 2022.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>In response to high inflation, the Bank of Ghana will increase its policy rate in an attempt to control the growth of credit. This will lead to an increase in the cost of borrowing. Higher borrowing costs will eventually lead to increased costs of production, which will further increase inflation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Solutions<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>The long-term solution is for the country to industrialise, add value to its exports, increase local production and cut down on imports so that there will be enough foreign exchange in the country. The government's policy of modernising agriculture, and the one-district-one-factory should be improved to speed up the process of industrialisation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>The medium-term solution is for the government to be able to raise more domestic revenue to be able to service its debts, and finance its development without a heavy reliance on borrowing.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>The short-term solution is for the government to borrow externally and bring foreign currency into the country. This can only happen after the government demonstrates to the investment community its ability to mobilise domestic revenue to service debt.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>As a matter of urgency, the government must revise the design of the electronic levy (e-levy) and pass it within the shortest possible time to access Eurobonds. According to the international credit rating agencies, the passage of the e-levy and the reversal of the 50% benchmark values at the ports will signal to international investors that government of Ghana is on the fiscal consolidation path and that it can raise domestic revenue to service its debt.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>In the short term, government can also demonstrate its ability to mobilise domestic revenue by paying attention to other sources of revenue such as property tax, tax exemptions, and natural resources.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Adu Owusu Sarkodie, Lecturer, Department of Economics, University of Ghana<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><a href="mailto:info@bulls.co.zw"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=804 height=272 id="Picture_x0020_3" src="cid:image008.jpg@01D8323E.09605920"></span></a><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Global Markets<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Australian dollar defies Ukraine war jitters, tops US74¢<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>The Australian dollar extended its dominance at the start of the week with the prospect of even higher commodity prices gaining the upper hand over a fresh wave of risk aversion amid a possible US and European ban on Russian resources.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>The currency rose above US74¢ for the first time since November.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>The local dollar is benefiting from Australia’s status as an energy exporter amid wild gains in energy, agriculture, bulks and metals prices. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>The euro sank to fresh lows across the board, tumbling to just below $1.46 against the Australian dollar, a level last seen in 2017. The euro is down 6 per cent this year on fears European growth will be levelled by the war in Ukraine.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>The pound also suffered losses; it plummeted to a 10-month trough of $1.78 against the Australian dollar and traded at $1.75 at midday on Monday.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>The Australian dollar was trading at US74.03¢ mid-session; such is the Australian dollar’s resilience that it even held its own against the safe haven yen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>It touched a four-month peak of ¥85.13 to stand at ¥84.92, a 1.5 per cent gain last week. The local dollar is benefiting from Australia’s status as an energy exporter amid wild gains in energy, agriculture, bulks and metals prices.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>The near-term prospect of a more dovish European Central Bank, which holds its policy meeting this week, with a wave of risk aversion drove the German 10-year bond yields 32 basis points lower last week. US 10-year yields were down at 1.71 per cent. Australian 10-year bonds retreated to 2.1 per cent, but Australian 3-year bonds jumped to 1.56 per cent.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>A stellar US jobs report failed to cheer the mood on Friday. The US unemployment rate dropped to a two-year low of 3.8 per cent as jobs growth surged in February, a bright spot for an economy facing headwinds from inflation, imminent tightening by the Federal Reserve and geopolitical tensions.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>The oil market could tighten further with disruptions to Russian flows.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>The Fed holds its two-day policy meeting on March 15-16 and bond markets are fully priced in for a quarter percentage point move, and ascribe only a 5 per cent chance of a half a percentage point hike. They also imply a slower pace of rate rises.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>In Australia, interbank futures are fully priced for the Reserve Bank of Australia’s first rate increase in July. The timing has swung between June and August. They imply a cash rate of 1.17 per cent in December, translating to at least four increases this year.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>An ANZ Bank survey showed Australian job ads jumped 8.4 per cent in February, from January, to reach a new pandemic high, and 1.8 per cent above the post-delta variant peak. “This supports our view that labour demand will continue to rise and competition for workers intensify,” said Catherine Birch, senior economist at ANZ.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>“With Australia’s international border reopening, the arrival of skilled migrants, students and backpackers will increase the supply of workers. But new arrivals will also add to demand for goods and services in an already strong demand environment,” she said, adding, “competition for labour is likely to remain elevated.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><a href="mailto:info@bulls.co.zw"><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=300 height=296 id="_x0000_i1031" src="cid:image006.jpg@01D8323D.6A07A770"></span></a><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Commodities Markets<br><br><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Palladium hits all-time high, gold tests $2,000/oz on Ukraine<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>(Reuters) - Palladium shot to an all-time high as Russia's invasion of Ukraine and resultant sanctions stoked fear of scarcity, while gold tested the psychological $2,000 mark in response to demand for safe-haven assets.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Spot palladium was up 10.2% at $3,308.49 per ounce by 1216 GMT, on course for its biggest daily percentage rise since March 2020 having hit an all-time high of $3,440.76 earlier.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>"Palladium is reflecting deep scarcity, and anticipation of further scarcity as things unfold in Ukraine and Russia," independent analyst Ross Norman said, adding he expected the price rally to continue. read more<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Western nations have piled sanctions on Moscow, driving prices higher across a range of commodities. Russia accounts for 40% of global production of palladium, used by automakers in catalytic converters to curb emissions. read more<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>"Possible supply outages from Russia are still being priced in on the palladium market," Commerzbank analysts said in a note. "As supply outages could not be offset elsewhere, the market risks sliding into a sizeable supply deficit."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Spot gold gained 1% to $1,988.46 per ounce, after scaling its highest since Aug. 19, 2020 at $2,002.31 earlier in the session. U.S. gold futures rose 1.3% to $1,991.30.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>"The severity of the war in Ukraine and the uncertainty around its future trajectory have fuelled broad-based gold buying from safe-haven seekers, pushing prices towards $2,000 per ounce," Julius Baer analyst Carsten Menke wrote in a note.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>"A further escalation would likely lift prices further. The latter would likely have a more lasting impact, as it could push the world economy towards a stagflation scenario, which we see as very bullish for gold."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Bullion is considered a safe store of value during such uncertainties and also a hedge against rising inflation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>"In the current environment, I would expect $2,000 to represent little more than a speed bump," Norman said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Silver gained 0.3% to $25.74, while platinum was up 2% to $1,143.08.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Fears of a further hit to supply of the autocatalyst metal from key producer Russia further squeezing tight market, say analysts<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Copper soars to record as metals surge on Russia supply fears<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Metals are breaking new records with copper spiking to an all-time high and nickel surging more than 16%, as soaring energy prices and fears of supply shocks rattled commodities markets amid war in Ukraine.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>The White House said it’s talking to allies about a possible oil embargo on Russia, triggering a spike in oil prices and ratcheting up geopolitical risks after its attack on its smaller neighbor. Higher energy prices mean steeper costs for manufacturers including metals smelters, adding to supply threats as commodity traders grapple with sanctions on Moscow.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Copper, used in power cables and wiring, rallied as much as 1.5% to $10 835 a ton, on the London Metal Exchange, beating the previous record high from May last year. Russia is an important producer of copper, and its exports account for some 3.3% of global output, according to JPMorgan & Chase Co.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Aluminum also hit a fresh all-time high with prices hitting $4 000, while nickel surged over $33 000 a ton and palladium soared to a record.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Global copper supply was already under growing stress before President Vladimir Putin ordered his military into Russia’s neighbor. The world’s shift to renewable energies and electric transportation is poised to ramp up the need for copper in coming years -- making the market sensitive to any disruptions.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>The copper market is “mispricing Russia supply risk,” as prices have had a relatively modest reaction to the tightening risks seen from the invasion of Ukraine, Goldman Sachs Group said in a note on Friday. The bank forecasts prices will rally to a record $12 000 over 12 months.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Meanwhile, policy messages from Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’s latest National People’s Congress work report are looking positive for base metals and stocks.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Copper rose 1.1% to $10 796 a ton as of 10:07 a.m. in Shanghai, while nickel gained as much as 16% to $33 650, the highest since March 2008. Aluminum surged as much as 3.9% before trading up 3.2% to $3 973. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=6 colspan=2 style='width:4.4pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:7.2pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width=881 colspan=5 style='width:661.0pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><strong><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#345883;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>INVESTORS DIARY 2022</span></strong><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=6 colspan=2 style='width:4.4pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style='height:3.25pt'><td width=221 style='width:165.7pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Company</span></b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=120 style='width:89.95pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Event</span></b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=364 style='width:273.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Venue</span></b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=175 valign=bottom style='width:131.5pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Date & Time</span></b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=6 colspan=2 style='width:4.45pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style='border:none;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm' width=1><p class='MsoNormal'> </td></tr><tr style='height:3.25pt'><td width=221 valign=top style='width:165.7pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%'><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=120 style='width:89.95pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=364 style='width:273.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%'><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=175 valign=top style='width:131.5pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=6 colspan=2 style='width:4.45pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td style='border:none;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm' width=1><p class='MsoNormal'> </td></tr><tr style='height:3.25pt'><td width=221 valign=top style='width:165.7pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=120 style='width:89.95pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=364 style='width:273.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=175 valign=top style='width:131.5pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=6 colspan=2 style='width:4.45pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td style='border:none;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm' width=1><p class='MsoNormal'> </td></tr><tr style='height:3.25pt'><td width=221 valign=top style='width:165.7pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=120 style='width:89.95pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=364 style='width:273.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=175 valign=top style='width:131.5pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=6 colspan=2 style='width:4.45pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td style='border:none;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm' width=1><p class='MsoNormal'> </td></tr><tr style='height:3.25pt'><td width=221 valign=top style='width:165.7pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=120 style='width:89.95pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=364 style='width:273.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=175 valign=top style='width:131.5pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=6 colspan=2 style='width:4.45pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td style='border:none;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm' width=1><p class='MsoNormal'> </td></tr><tr style='height:3.25pt'><td width=221 valign=top style='width:165.7pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Nampak<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=120 style='width:89.95pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>AGM<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=364 style='width:273.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=175 valign=top style='width:131.5pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>March 09, 9AM<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=6 colspan=2 style='width:4.45pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td style='border:none;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm' width=1><p class='MsoNormal'> </td></tr><tr style='height:3.25pt'><td width=221 valign=top style='width:165.7pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Art<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=120 style='width:89.95pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>AGM<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=364 style='width:273.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=175 valign=top style='width:131.5pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>March 10, 2.30PM<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=6 colspan=2 style='width:4.45pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td style='border:none;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm' width=1><p class='MsoNormal'> </td></tr><tr style='height:3.25pt'><td width=221 valign=top style='width:165.7pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#D9D9D9;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p></td><td width=120 style='width:89.95pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#D9D9D9;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoBodyText style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:39.6pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p></td><td width=364 style='width:273.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#D9D9D9;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoBodyText style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:39.6pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p></td><td width=175 valign=bottom style='width:131.5pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#D9D9D9;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoBodyText style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:39.6pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p></td><td width=6 colspan=2 style='width:4.45pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td style='border:none;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm' width=1><p class='MsoNormal'> </td></tr><tr style='height:3.25pt'><td width=341 colspan=2 valign=top style='width:255.65pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoBodyText style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:39.6pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Counters trading under cautionary<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=364 style='width:273.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoBodyText style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:39.6pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=175 valign=bottom style='width:131.5pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoBodyText style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:39.6pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=6 colspan=2 style='width:4.45pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td style='border:none;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm' width=1><p class='MsoNormal'> </td></tr><tr style='height:3.25pt'><td width=341 colspan=2 valign=top style='width:255.65pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoBodyText style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:39.6pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=364 style='width:273.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoBodyText style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:39.6pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=175 valign=bottom style='width:131.5pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoBodyText style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:39.6pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=6 colspan=2 style='width:4.45pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style='border:none;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm' width=1><p class='MsoNormal'> </td></tr><tr style='height:3.25pt'><td width=341 colspan=2 valign=top style='width:255.65pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>ART<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=364 style='width:273.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Seed co Int.<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=175 valign=bottom style='width:131.5pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=6 colspan=2 style='width:4.45pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td style='border:none;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm' width=1><p class='MsoNormal'> </td></tr><tr style='height:3.25pt'><td width=341 colspan=2 valign=top style='width:255.65pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Starafrica<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=364 style='width:273.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Medtech<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=175 valign=bottom style='width:131.5pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Turnall<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=6 colspan=2 style='width:4.45pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td style='border:none;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm' width=1><p class='MsoNormal'> </td></tr><tr style='height:3.25pt'><td width=341 colspan=2 valign=top style='width:255.65pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Seed co<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=364 style='width:273.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=175 valign=bottom style='width:131.5pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=6 colspan=2 style='width:4.45pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td style='border:none;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm' width=1><p class='MsoNormal'> </td></tr><tr style='height:3.25pt'><td width=341 colspan=2 valign=top style='width:255.65pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoBodyText style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:39.6pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=364 style='width:273.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoBodyText style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:39.6pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=175 valign=bottom style='width:131.5pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoBodyText style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:39.6pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=6 colspan=2 style='width:4.45pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td style='border:none;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm' width=1><p class='MsoNormal'> </td></tr><tr style='height:99.35pt'><td width=880 colspan=4 style='width:660.25pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:99.35pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%;background:white'><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Invest Wisely!</span></i><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Bulls n Bears </span></b><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'> </span><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Cellphone: </span><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><a href="tel:%2B263%2077%20344%201674" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black'>+263 77 344 1674</span></a></span><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Alt. Email: </span><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><a href="mailto:info@bulls.co.zw"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>info@bulls.co.zw</span></a></span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'> </span><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Website: </span><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><a href="http://www.bullszimbabwe.com"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>www.bullszimbabwe.com</span></a></span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'> </span><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Blog: </span><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bulls.co.zw%2Fblog&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFoIy6F9IXAiYnSoPSgWDYsr8Sqtw" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black'>www.bullszimbabwe.com/blog</span></a></span><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Twitter: @bullsbears2010</span><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>LinkedIn: Bulls n Bears Zimbabwe</span><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Facebook: </span><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FBullsBearsZimbabwe&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGhb_A5rp4biV1dGHbgiAhUxQqBXA" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black'>www.facebook.com/BullsBearsZimbabwe</span></a></span><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Skype: Bulls.Bears </span><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%'><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><img border=0 width=278 height=115 id="_x0000_i1030" src="cid:image001.png@01D8323D.6A07A770"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--></span><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%'><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=6 colspan=2 style='width:4.45pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:99.35pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style='border:none;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm' width=1><p class='MsoNormal'> </td></tr><tr><td width=880 colspan=4 valign=top style='width:660.25pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#1F497D;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><i><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p></td><td width=6 colspan=2 style='width:4.45pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style='border:none;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm' width=1><p class='MsoNormal'> </td></tr><tr><td width=880 colspan=4 valign=top style='width:660.25pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#1F497D;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><i><span style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:white;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>DISCLAIMER: This report has been prepared by Bulls ‘n Bears, a division of Faith Capital (Pvt) Ltd for general information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for any securities. The information contained in this report has been compiled from sources believed to be reliable, but no representation or warranty is made or guarantee given as to its accuracy or completeness. All opinions expressed and recommendations made are subject to change without notice. Securities or financial instruments mentioned herein may not be suitable for all investors. Securities of emerging and mid-size growth companies typically involve a higher degree of risk and more volatility than the securities of more established companies. Neither Faith Capital nor any other member of Bulls ‘n Bears nor any other person, accepts any liability whatsoever for any loss howsoever arising from any use of this report or its contents or otherwise arising in connection therewith. Recipients of this report shall be solely responsible for making their own independent investigation into the business, financial condition and future prospects of any companies referred to in this report. Other Indices quoted herein are for guideline purposes only and sourced from third parties.</span></i><i><span style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p></o:p></span></i></p></td><td width=6 colspan=2 style='width:4.45pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style='border:none;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm' width=1><p class='MsoNormal'> </td></tr><tr><td width=880 colspan=4 valign=top style='width:660.25pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><i><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:white;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p></td><td width=6 colspan=2 style='width:4.45pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style='border:none;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm' width=1><p class='MsoNormal'> </td></tr><tr><td width=880 colspan=4 valign=top style='width:660.25pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>(c) 2022 <b>Web</b>:</span><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><a href="http://www.bullszimbabwe.com"><span style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black'> www.bullszimbabwe.com </span></a></span><b><span style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Email:</span></b><span style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'> </span><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><a href="mailto:info@bulls.co.zw"><span style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black'>info@bulls.co.zw</span></a></span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'> <b>Tel:</b> +263 4 2927658 <b>Cell:</b> +263 77 344 1674<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=6 colspan=2 style='width:4.45pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style='border:none;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm' width=1><p class='MsoNormal'> </td></tr><tr><td width=880 colspan=4 valign=bottom style='width:660.25pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=6 colspan=2 style='width:4.45pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style='border:none;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm' width=1><p class='MsoNormal'> </td></tr><tr height=0><td width=221 style='border:none'></td><td width=120 style='border:none'></td><td width=364 style='border:none'></td><td width=175 style='border:none'></td><td width=1 style='border:none'></td><td width=5 style='border:none'></td><td width=1 style='border:none'></td></tr></table></div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:36.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:36.0pt'><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>