Ecobank supports BRVM as Composite rises 0.14% despite two weak pockets

The BRVM Composite rose 0.14% to 403.93 points on May 1, while the BRVM-30 gained 0.7% to 190.82 points and the Principal index fell 1.26% to 280.02 points. Trading was lifted by Utilities, up 2.19% to 151.05 points, and Telecommunications, up 1.54% to 103.03 points, even as Discretionary Consumption dropped 4.34% to 181.22 points and Staples fell 3.78% to 255.61 points. In financials, Ecobank drove the news flow with group net banking income up 11% in the first quarter of 2026, according to Financial Afrik, while Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire posted 13 billion CFA francs in first-quarter profit, according to Sika Finance. The stock story was also backed by a 10% rise in earnings per share in 2025, according to APAnews, and by the resumption of dividends after a record 2025 profit, Africtelegraph reported, while Afrimag said Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire outlined its ambitions for 2026.