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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=1111 style='width:833.0pt;border-collapse:collapse'><tr><td width=1104 colspan=4 valign=top style='width:827.85pt;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@01DA6ED9.8F462B30"><!--[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=1104 colspan=4 valign=top style='width:827.85pt;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=1104 colspan=4 valign=top style='width:827.85pt;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 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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=1104 colspan=4 valign=top style='width:827.85pt;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=1104 colspan=4 valign=top style='width:827.85pt;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 : 04 March 2024</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=1104 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</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_4" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" href="mailto:sales@dulys.co.zw?subject=Request%20Quote" style='position:absolute;left:0;text-align:left;margin-left:47.65pt;margin-top:0;width:280.5pt;height:397.05pt;z-index:251659264;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-width-relative:margin;mso-height-relative:margin' o:button="t">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><a href="mailto:sales@dulys.co.zw?subject=Request%20Quote"><img border=0 width=374 height=529 src="cid:image003.jpg@01DA6ED9.8F462B30" align=left hspace=12 title="" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_4"></a><![endif]><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%'><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'>ZSE retreats in week opening session…<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 market retreated 0.27% in week opening session to 521,101.97pts as all the four indices under our review closed in the red. The Blue-chip index lost 0.36% to 232,468.22pts while, the Agriculture index closed 0.94% lower at 1,414.04pts. The Mid-Cap index fell by 0.03% to 2,116,438.08pts. Milk processor Dairibord Holdings Limited led the laggards of the day on a 9.55% slid to $950.2894 while, Ariston trailed on a 4.50% loss to $67.5306. Proplastics and FBC holdings declined a similar 2.78% to close at $1,300.3049 and $2,800.0000 respectively. First Mutual Properties capped the top five worst performers of the day on a 1.69% drop to end the day pegged at $580.0000. Zimbabwe Newspaper Limited headlined the top performers of the day on a 66.67% jump to $100.0000. ART surged 14.21% to $217.000 followed by Rainbow Tourism group that added 3.36% to $380.0000. Meikles Limited charged 1.34% to end the day pegged at $2,455.0000. Nampak completed the winners of the day on a 1.02% uplift to $495.0000. The market closed with a negative breadth of five after ten counters recorded gains against fifteen that faltered.<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='line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Activity aggregates enhanced in the session as volume traded increased by 90.37% to 1,830,200 shares while, value traded ballooned 65.11% to $2.8b. The top volume drivers of the day were OK (26.45%), Star Africa (15.46%) and Econet (12.65%). The trio of Delta, Econet and OK Zim dominated the turnover category as they claimed a combined 64.33% of the total. Datvest ETF advanced 0.32% to $19.5114 while, MIZ ETF soared 10.53% to settle at $21.0000. Cass Saddle ETF and OMTT ETF eased 0.12% and 1.55% to close at $7.5808 and $90.0068 respectively. A total of 387,800 units exchanged hands on the REIT section. Tigere REIT shot up 18.95% to settle at $628.9510 while, Revitus REIT slipped 1.41% to close at $552.1053.-efe<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'>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'>South 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'><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 African rand firms ahead of local GDP figures<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 firmed on Monday, ahead of gross domestic product (GDP) figures and a whole-economy purchasing managers' index (PMI) survey.<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 1514 GMT, the rand traded at 19.02 against the U.S. dollar , about 0.4% higher than its closing level 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'>The dollar was last down 0.08% against a basket of global 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'>Statistics South Africa will release fourth-quarter GDP figures on Tuesday, which are expected to show growth after the economy recorded a minor contraction in the third quarter of last 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'>Investor focus will also be on the S&P Global South Africa PMI out on Tuesday, which will shed light on business conditions in Africa's most industrialised economy in February.<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'>Gold and forex reserves and current account data will also be released later this week.<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'>Shares on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange ended slightly lower, with the blue-chip Top-40 index (.JTOPI), opens new tab closing down 0.24%.<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's benchmark 2030 government bond slipped marginally, with the yield up 1 basis point at 10.120%.<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'>Nigeria<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'>Naira depreciation worsens Nigeria’s foreign debt woes<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 depreciation of the naira has caused the country’s foreign loans to balloon, writes EDIDIONG IKPOTO<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'>Nigeria’s external debt stock (debt owed to foreign entities) has increased by N28tn due to the devaluation of the Nigerian naira against the United States dollar, findings by The PUNCH reveal.<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'>According to the latest debt profile data published by the Debt Management Office, Nigeria’s total debt stood at N87.38tn at the end of the third quarter of 2023.<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 total external debt constituted N31.98tn ($41.5bn) owed to foreign entities, which included loans from financial agencies, Eurobonds, and syndicated loans, among others.<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'>A breakdown of the data showed that Nigeria’s external debt spans across multilateral loans owed to the likes of the International Monetary Fund ($2.8bn), International Development Association ($14bn), African Development Bank ($1.6bn), Int’l Bank for Reconstruction and Devpt ($488m).<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'>They also include bilateral loans such as the $4.8bn owed to the Exim Bank of China and $563m owed to the Agence Francaise Development, a $15bn Eurobond and syndicated loans worth $300m.<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'>Cumulatively, Nigeria’s external debt totalled $41.5bn (N31.98tn) as of September 30, 2023, the last debt profile data published by the DMO.<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'>According to the DMO, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s official exchange rate of $1 to N768.76 as of September 30, 2023, was used in converting external debt to naira.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>However, with the continued devaluation of naira in the last six months, Nigeria’s external debt has increased significantly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Much of the damage incurred by the naira began in the early exchanges of 2024, with the apex bank accusing currency speculators of fuelling the free fall of the local currency.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Between Jan 1, 2024, and the close of trading on February 29, 2024, the naira has fallen from 891/$ to 1,609/$, representing a decline of 80.58 per cent.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>This also implies that between the September 30 exchange rate of 768/$ (which captures the rate used in the DMO’s calculation) and the current rate of 1,609/$ as of Thursday, the naira has depreciated by over 109 per cent, the implication being that Nigeria’s external debt has increased by over 109 per cent between the period when the DMO published the last debt stock information and February 2024.<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 significant rise (in naira terms) of Nigeria’s foreign debt comes amid plans by the Federal Government to raise more funding through 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'>At a World Bank/International Monetary Fund Annual meeting in Marrakech, Morocco, last year, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun had confirmed that the government was in talks with the World Bank for a $1.5bn budget support loan.<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 minister said the new World Bank loan would be used to finance development, disclosing that the facility would be disbursed to Nigeria very soon.<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 said, “On the talks with the World Bank on $1.5bn budget support that is correct. The World Bank is the number one multilateral development bank helping developing countries or funding developing countries, projects and programmes, and sectors.<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 has free money through the International Development Association. It is for the poorer countries and right now, I think we qualify as one of the countries that can borrow from the normal window of the World Bank funding, but also some concessionary IDA funding; and that means that effectively, the interest rate will be zero.”<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'>Nigeria’s continuous recourse to borrowing comes despite warnings by experts and global lenders against the dangers of over-reliance on debt for development needs. These include the International Monetary Fund, which projected that “the Nigerian government may spend nearly 100 per cent of its revenue on debt servicing by 2026”.<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 Bank also warned that the country’s debt, while seemingly sustainable, is “vulnerable and costly”.<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 Nigerian Economic Summit Group, a body of private sector leaders, warned against what it saw as the prospect of creating “a debt burden for future governments”.<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'>Debt sustainability concerns<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'>In its Annual National Market Access Country Debt Sustainability Analysis (2022), which included projections for 2023 through 2025, the Debt Management Office said that its Medium-Term Debt Management Strategy targets 70:30 domestic and external debt composition. As of September 2023, Nigeria had already exceeded that projection by 6.3 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'>With the significant depreciation of the local currency recorded between September 2023 and February 2024, experts had predicted that the DMO’s threshold for external-local debt was expected to widen.<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 speaking with The PUNCH, the President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce, Gabriel Idahosa, said it would be ‘impossible’ for Nigeria to meet its 70:30 public-external debt ratio due to the free fall of the naira.<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'>Idahosa said, “Nobody, not even the DMO, could have predicted the drop in the value of the naira. Whatever they do in their next report should reflect reality.”<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 DMO, in its MTDS, also advised the prioritisation of concessional and semi-concessional funding from multilateral and bilateral sources over market financing in the case of external 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 alternative or shock scenario of the DMO’s DSA assumed that the fiscal and monetary conditions and the general operating macroeconomic environment would deteriorate should the government fail to address the current economic challenges such as low revenues, subsidy on premium motor spirit and foreign exchange scarcity.<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 inflation rate was projected to maintain an upward trend through 2023 and 2024, leading to higher interest rates and monetary policy tightening. This outcome, the report said, would lead to a reduction in GDP and a widening of the fiscal 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'>In addition, the nominal exchange rate was projected to depreciate to 646.7/$ from<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'>435.57/$ in the Medium Term Expenditure Framework, 2023-2025, while the interest rate would increase by 200 basis points annually from 2023 to 2027.<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 the rapid devaluation of the naira in the last eight months, Idahosa pointed out that the DMO would have to rejig the metric for calculating its debt sustainability analysis as the numbers used in the previous report could no longer hold.<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'>2024 debt servicing projection<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 its 2024 Appropriation Bill, the Federal Government budgeted the sum of N8.25tn. The assumption of the budget was an exchange rate that would hover somewhere within 800/$.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:39.6pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>With the current rate of 1,609/$, this implies that the exchange rate is almost 101 per cent higher than the Federal Government’s peg, a situation that has caused worry among experts and private sector stakeholders.<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'>Experts argued that due to the beating the naira had taken recently, the Federal Government’s plan to spend about N9tn for debt servicing may no longer be feasible unless the government was able to overshoot its revenue projections, which seemed unlikely given a recent admission by the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Ben Akabueze.<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'>During an interview with The PUNCH, Akabueze attributed the trend of deficit budgets in recent years to low 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'>He said, “The key is to generate enough revenue to meet our needs. We are not currently there.”<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 his part, the President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Dele Oye, expressed worry that beyond the damage the forex crisis was wreaking havoc on organised businesses, the government’s budget would become one of the casualties of the continued naira devaluation.<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'>Oye said, “Even the government, this exchange rate situation has made nonsense of their budget because all the things they want to do have already run differently from the figures projected.<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'>“We all know that stability is an important element of business. The currency issue is a major catalyst behind inflation. It affects planning. It affects production. Businesses are afraid to produce because when they do, they cannot recoup to be able to restock. So, if they sell their products at the current rate, they won’t be able to restock. So, what that means is that almost all economic activities will come to a standstill.”<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'>Economists speak<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 his reaction, Nigeria’s consultant to the ECOWAS Common Investment Market, Jonathan Aremu, queried the metric through which the Federal Government concluded to peg the exchange rate for its 2024 budget at 800/$.<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'>According to Aremu, the CBN’s decision to pump more naira into the economy has largely been responsible for the devaluation of the currency.<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 said, “I believe very strongly that if the volume of physical naira that is available is not much, then the exchange rate will not rise the way it has. So, the government that is pumping naira into the economy should be able to account for the fallen currency.<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'>“If there is an increase in the naira that is available and there is no increase in the dollar from exports, then what do we expect? I think the best thing they can do is to control the increasing naira that is available, and I believe the Central Bank has the tools to do that. It is a quantity theory of money approach.”<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 further stated that with the continued devaluation of the local currency, Nigeria’s external debt would continue to increase in naira terms, a development which would put a strain on an already ailing economy.<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 his recommendation, Aremu urged the government to emphasise creating the enabling environment for a robust productive sector that would set the stage for increased non-oil exports and less reliance on imported 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'>He warned that if this is not done, Nigeria will find itself holding the short end of the stick vis-à-vis the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, as other countries with better production environments would outdo Nigeria with products that would have a more competitive edge.<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 his part, an economist at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Prof Sheriffdeen Tella, said the devaluation of the naira would increase Nigeria’s debt in naira terms, but noted that the government may choose to work around this bottleneck by servicing its debts from forex reserves as against using its internally generated revenue.<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 DMO will calculate it using the prevailing exchange rate, and this will tell us how much we are losing. But if they pay directly from our dollar account, it won’t be as painful as it would have been if we paid with naira,” he explained.<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'>According to Tella, the Federal Government may have to start thinking about a supplementary budget given the damage which has been done to the current appropriation bill by the naira devaluation.<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 added, “This is why at the time of implementing the budget, they talk about supplementary budget. That is what may happen. The central bank itself has devalued the naira because coming from 400/$ to a budget based on 800/$, it has gone beyond them now.”<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"><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=300 height=296 id="_x0000_i1030" src="cid:image004.jpg@01DA6ED9.8F462B30"></span></b></a><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'>Strong U.S. economy sends dollar bears into hibernation<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) - A stronger-than-expected U.S. economy is buoying the dollar, frustrating investors who had bet the currency would wilt under a barrage of interest rate cuts that have yet to materialize.<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 dollar index (.DXY), opens new tab, which measures the buck against a basket of its peers, is up 2.4% year-to-date. Net bets on the dollar in futures markets swung positive last month for the first time since late November, Commodity Futures Trading Commission data showed.<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'>Driving the U.S. currency's stubborn strength is a robust U.S. economy that has made the Fed hesitant to ease monetary policy too quickly and risk an inflationary rebound.<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'>U.S. gross domestic product grew at a 3.2% annualized rate in the fourth quarter. By contrast, the eurozone's economy stagnated last year, China faces a deepening property crisis, and Japan unexpectedly slipped into recession at the end of 2023.<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 the U.S. economy has remained resilient, "there is no significant evidence Europe and China are picking up," said Thierry Wizman, global FX and rates strategist at Macquarie, who has become more neutral on the dollar after his bearish outlook last year. "That's the reason people have had this change of heart" on the dollar, he 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'>The dollar's strength will be tested this week as investors brace for Fed Chairman Jerome Powell to testify before lawmakers on Wednesday and Thursday and await U.S. employment data at the end of the week. Signs that the Fed is sticking with its "higher for longer" messaging on rate cuts or that the U.S. economy continues to stay strong could support the dollar's rally.<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'>Investors are pricing in some 85 basis points of rate cuts for 2024, compared to more than 150 basis points they had factored in early January, futures tied to the Fed's policy rate showed.<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'>Among the dollar bulls is Ugo Lancioni, head of currency at Neuberger Berman, who is betting on the greenback to continue rising thanks to U.S. outperformance even though he believes it has grown expensive relative to other 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'>"Our call right now is purely a relative growth type of call," he 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'>Getting the dollar's trajectory right is important for investors, given the currency's central role in global finance.<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 strong dollar could weigh on the outlook for U.S. multinationals as it makes it more expensive to convert their foreign profits into dollars, while also making exporters' products less competitive abroad. About a quarter of S&P 500 companies generate more than 50% of revenues outside the U.S., FactSet data showed.<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'>Dollar strength could also complicate other central banks' efforts to fight inflation as it makes their currencies cheaper. The European Central Bank, which concludes its monetary policy meeting on Thursday, has also pushed back against rate cut talk due to sticky inflation. Signs that the euro zone's policymakers might further delay easing could boost the euro at the dollar's expense.<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'>Strategists are still broadly bearish on the dollar, though the dollar's persistent strength is testing their outlook. While the median forecast among currency strategists is for the dollar to weaken over the rest of the year, some 80% believed there was a risk of the dollar exceeding their target, a Reuters poll showed in February.<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'>Paul Mielczarski, head of macro strategy at Brandywine Global, sees the dollar's recent rebound as more of a "tactical rally as opposed to a change in the underlying trend overall."<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'>Mielczarski is encouraged by nascent signs of improving growth outside the U.S., including strength in the global semiconductor cycle, which benefits currencies like the Korean won.<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'>Others, however, see more reasons for dollar strength - especially if former U.S. President Donald Trump gains the upper hand in a presidential reelection race that has been deadlocked for 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'>Analysts at Capital Economics wrote that Trump's proposed tariff increases could shift the Fed back to a tightening bias on monetary policy and set off a wider trade war that spurs safe haven demand for the U.S. currency. The dollar initially rallied after Trump won the 2016 election but fell 10.5% during his term.<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 that may be far off, investors will still likely be hesitant to renew bearish bets against the greenback, Macquarie's Wizman 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'>"I think it's a 'show me' story," he said. "The amount of skepticism on the part of traders is high."<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_i1029" src="cid:image004.jpg@01DA6ED9.8F462B30"></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<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'>Gold Gold hovers near 3-month peak as eyes on Powell’s testimony<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'>Gold prices steadied near a three-month peak on Tuesday, supported by subdued U.S. manufacturing and construction spending, as investors awaited testimony from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and key jobs data later this week.<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<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'> was flat at $2,114.59 per ounce, as of 0423 GMT, hovering around Monday’s levels of $2119.69 that marked its highest point since Dec. 4. Meanwhile, U.S. gold futures<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'> edged 0.2% lower to $2,121.60.<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'>London’s gold price benchmark hit an all-time high of $2,098.05 per troy ounce at an afternoon auction 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'>“This rally in gold was triggered by the softer-than-expected U.S. data and the pullback in real rates... but there has been a general bias to buy dips and a positive underlying investor sentiment towards gold that has also made the market vulnerable to the upside,” UBS strategist Joni Teves 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'>Data last week showed a further decline in U.S. manufacturing in February, along with a gradual easing of inflation, while consumer sentiment remained weak.<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, Fed’s Raphael Bostic said on Monday that the bank is under no pressure to cut rates urgently, highlighting a “prospering” economy and job market.<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'>Market focus now turns to Fed Chair Powell’s two-day congressional testimony on Wednesday and Thursday, in a jobs data-heavy week, as investors seek more clues on the health of the U.S. economy and potential timing of the central bank’s rate cuts.<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'>Lower interest rates boost the appeal of non-yielding bullion.<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’s largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, SPDR Gold Trust’s GLD holdings<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'> were down 10% from the previous year as of March 4. <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'>“Even though gold ETFs have continued to sell, the pace of the selling has been reasonably measured, which suggests these are tweaks to the composition of the investor portfolio rather than investors losing faith in gold necessarily,” UBS’ Teves 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'>Spot platinum<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'> fell 0.7% to $890.95 per ounce, and palladium<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'> dropped over 1% to $950.13.<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'>“Platinum should regain its luster amid the ongoing substitution of platinum for palladium and strong auto sales,” analysts at ANZ said 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'>Spot silver<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'> fell 0.8% to $23.71.<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=1105 colspan=5 style='width:828.6pt;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 2024</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=295 style='width:221.2pt;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=219 style='width:164.35pt;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=361 style='width:270.6pt;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=229 valign=bottom style='width:171.7pt;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=295 valign=top style='width:221.2pt;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=219 style='width:164.35pt;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=361 style='width:270.6pt;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=229 valign=top style='width:171.7pt;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=295 valign=top style='width:221.2pt;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=219 style='width:164.35pt;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=361 style='width:270.6pt;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'>virtual (escrow platform)<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=229 valign=top style='width:171.7pt;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 7. 2:30<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=295 valign=top style='width:221.2pt;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=219 style='width:164.35pt;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'>2024 auction tobacco marketing season opens<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=361 style='width:270.6pt;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=229 valign=top style='width:171.7pt;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'>13 march<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=295 valign=top style='width:221.2pt;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=219 style='width:164.35pt;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'>Good Friday<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=361 style='width:270.6pt;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=229 valign=top style='width:171.7pt;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 29<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=295 valign=top style='width:221.2pt;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=219 style='width:164.35pt;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'>Easter Monday<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=361 style='width:270.6pt;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=229 valign=top style='width:171.7pt;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'>1 April<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=295 valign=top style='width:221.2pt;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=219 style='width:164.35pt;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'>Independence Day<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=361 style='width:270.6pt;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=229 valign=top style='width:171.7pt;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'>April 18<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=295 valign=top style='width:221.2pt;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=219 style='width:164.35pt;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'>Workers day<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=361 style='width:270.6pt;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=229 valign=top style='width:171.7pt;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'>1 May<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=295 valign=top style='width:221.2pt;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=219 style='width:164.35pt;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=361 style='width:270.6pt;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=229 valign=bottom style='width:171.7pt;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=514 colspan=2 valign=top style='width:385.55pt;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%'><b><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></b></p></td><td width=361 style='width:270.6pt;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=229 valign=bottom style='width:171.7pt;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=514 colspan=2 valign=top style='width:385.55pt;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:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=361 style='width:270.6pt;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=229 valign=bottom style='width:171.7pt;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=514 colspan=2 valign=top style='width:385.55pt;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:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>CBZH<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=361 style='width:270.6pt;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'>GetBucks<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=229 valign=bottom style='width:171.7pt;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'>EcoCash<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=514 colspan=2 valign=top style='width:385.55pt;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:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Padenga<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=361 style='width:270.6pt;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'>Econet<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=229 valign=bottom style='width:171.7pt;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'>RTG<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=514 colspan=2 valign=top style='width:385.55pt;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:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Fidelity<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=361 style='width:270.6pt;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'>TSL<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=229 valign=bottom style='width:171.7pt;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'>FMHL<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=514 colspan=2 valign=top style='width:385.55pt;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:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>ZBFH<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=361 style='width:270.6pt;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=229 valign=bottom style='width:171.7pt;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:99.35pt'><td width=1104 colspan=4 style='width:827.85pt;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 lang=X-NONE style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%;background:white'><span lang=X-NONE style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'> </span><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Invest </span></i><span style='font-size:10.5pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Cellphone: +263 71 944 1674 | +27 79 993 5557 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Email: bulls@bullszimbabwe.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Website: www.bullszimbabwe.com <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Blog: www.bullszimbabwe.com/blog<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Twitter (X): @bullsbears2010<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>LinkedIn: Bulls n Bears Zimbabwe<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Facebook: www.facebook.com/BullsBearsZimbabwe<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_i1028" src="cid:image001.png@01DA6ED9.8F462B30"><!--[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=1104 colspan=4 valign=top style='width:827.85pt;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=1104 colspan=4 valign=top style='width:827.85pt;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=1104 colspan=4 valign=top style='width:827.85pt;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=1104 colspan=4 valign=top style='width:827.85pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=1088 style='width:816.05pt;border-collapse:collapse'><tr><td width=1084 valign=top style='width:813.05pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%'><span lang=EN-GB style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'> (c) 2024 Web: www.bullszimbabwe.com Email: bulls@bullszimbabwe.com Tel: +27 79 993 5557 | +263 71 944 1674</span><span style='mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></table></div></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=1104 colspan=4 valign=bottom style='width:827.85pt;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=295 style='border:none'></td><td width=219 style='border:none'></td><td width=361 style='border:none'></td><td width=229 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>