Pan African housing and urban development financier Shelter Afrique's Sh500 million bond has recorded a full subscription, after completing the last tranche of a Sh3 billion medium term note issue in 2011.

The Nairobi all share firmed 0.19 points to close at 93.38. The Nairobi all Share is +37.262% in 2012 and is 0.55% below its 17-month high from 26th November. The NSE20 firmed 18.49 points to close at 4085.70. The NSE20 index is +27.457% in 2012. Equity turnover was 491.37m versus 1.097b last time. BAT and ScanGroup set fresh all time closing highs. EABL remains at an all time closing high.

The Nairobi securities Exchange is fastracking operations in the Growth Enterprise Market Segment(GEMS) to attract incoming players in the natural resources and mining sector.

National Bank of Kenya reported a 68 percent plunge in pretax profits for the first-nine months of the year to 577 million shillings ($6.74 million) due to a steep raise in interest expenses, it said on Tuesday.